Led by RMIT STEM Technical Services, the event will provide a platform to share expertise, strengthen professional networks and showcase the critical role technical staff play in enabling excellence in teaching, research, safety, infrastructure and innovation.
Leading the day will be experts within their fields to share knowledge, insights and practical knowledge we can bring back into our everyday roles. TechFest 2026 will support and recognise the value of the technical services profession and help build a stronger, more connected technical workforce across the higher education sector.
Date: Thursday 19 November 2026
Time: 8am – 6pm
Location: Melbourne Connect (The Superfloor), 700 Swanston Street, Carlton VIC 3053
| 9am – 9.30am | Arrival and registration | |||
| 9.40am – 10.30am | Welcome and opening keynote | |||
| 10.30am – 11am | Break | Walk through Poster and video submissions | ||
| 11am – 11.45am | Room 1 | Room 2 | Room 3 | Cafe space |
| Workshop: Asset stewardship: from equipment lists to an evidence-based STEM asset roadmap | Masterclass: Operating high consequence facilities: safety, readiness and technical judgement | Panel discussion: Powering Universities: Building technical services strategic framework | Video submissions for teams/spaces, networking area and lab tour sign up | |
| 11.45am – 12.45pm | Lunch | |||
| 1pm – 1.40pm | Room 1 | Room 2 | Room 3 | Cafe space |
| Workshop: Making technical contribution visible in research outputs | Technical talk: The technologist as method developer, not just equipment operator | Round table: Future proofing our people and teams | Video submissions for teams/spaces, networking area and lab tour sign up | |
| 1.50pm – 2.30pm | Fireside chat: From technician to technologist: building a recognised professional identity | Round table: Fostering Collaboration from the top down | ||
| 2.30pm – 3pm | Break | |||
| 3.10pm – 3.45pm | From Tech Fest to technical maturity roadmap and goodbye | |||
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
Learn more about our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
