Students Lead the Way at the 2025 IPE Colloquium

At the 2025 Interprofessional Education (IPE) Colloquium hosted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC), the energy, leadership and innovation of graduates and students from the University of Melbourne took centre stage. The IPE Colloquium brought together over 170 attendees from across professions, academia, and the community to explore the role of trust in collaborative healthcare.

An exceptional presentation was delivered by two outstanding graduates, Clara Luu (Optometry) and Cheryl Seah (Audiology; current Master of Public Health student). Titled, “Student-led Interprofessional Initiatives to Foster Trust and Teamwork in Future Healthcare Professionals,” their session showcased the biannual Skills Expo, a key initiative of the Interprofessional Education and Practice Health Students Network (IPEP-HSN) - a University of Melbourne (UoM) student network that promotes interprofessional collaboration between diverse health and social care students. Supported by mentors Associate Professor Vivienne Mak and Dr Kim Allison from the Collaborative Practice Centre, Clara and Cheryl demonstrated how student-driven initiatives can meaningfully foster trust and teamwork in future healthcare professionals.

The Skills Expo is a student-led, multi-station simulation activity that brings together over 200 students each year for hands-on, peer-led learning. Designed to foster interprofessional teamwork, build peer connections, and deepen understanding of the diverse roles within health and social care, the Skills Expo is a great example of how student-driven initiatives can shape the future of collaborative, team-based care.

Another standout session was the panel Practitioners of Tomorrow – Opportunities to Collaborate for a Healthier Planet, where UoM student leaders Stuart Henshall (Doctor of Medicine) and Annette Gloria (Doctor of Dental Surgery) joined peers to share how interprofessional collaboration can drive climate-conscious care. Their reflections, grounded in work on the Planetary Health Report Card, powerfully demonstrated the role students can play as advocates and change makers.

Watch the 2025 IPE Colloquium Student Video

To learn more about IPEP-HSN, visit the Interprofessional Education and Practice Health Students Network UoM website. All students from health-related disciplines, including dentistry, optometry, audiology, physiotherapy, social work, medicine, speech pathology, nursing and public health, are welcome to join.