Patrick Pheasant, CEO NEAS
Official Closing Address

Abstract
The past five years has seen a transformation of Quality Assurance in Australia as a response to changes in the economic, political and educational landscape of International Education and Training. Quality assurance can only be effective when all stakeholders understand and embrace its challenges and benefits. Developing a culture of quality requires strong, committed stewardship from leaders in this sector.

This presentation explores the importance of quality assurance for teachers and professional staff in educational institutions in Australia. Participants will be introduced to Quality Assurance principles, frameworks and tools they can use at their institution. This workshop will be interactive and allow for development of a shared understanding of a culture of quality between university English language centres.

Bio
As Chief Executive Officer at NEAS, Patrick brings enthusiasm and a healthy pragmatism to projects and teams he engages with. With 20 years’ experience in applying drama, TESOL and teacher training methodologies across ELICOS, high school, vocational education, higher education and corporate sectors in Japan, the Netherlands, the United States and Australia, Patrick’s approach to problem solving is informed by a dynamic systems perspective with a global outlook. Patrick has held senior management positions in education for twelve years and has extensive experience in change management, including a graduate management qualification from Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM). Patrick’s recent PhD research at the University of Sydney is in using process drama in TESOL. He is a past Vice-President of the University English Centres of Australia (UECA) and past Convenor of the NEAS Advisory Council. His passion is in sharing drama and innovative TESOL pedagogy across cultures and he has had the privilege of conducting large group presentations and workshops with thousands of students and teachers at more than 50 events across 28 countries in the last five years as part of his PhD and roles with the University of Sydney, NEAS and UECA.