About the Conference
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is reshaping how governments deliver public services at scale. By combining digital identity, interoperable data systems, payment rails, and consent mechanisms, DPI can improve access, inclusion, efficiency, and security in essential services. At the same time, large-scale digital systems raise important questions about exclusion, privacy, cybersecurity, data governance, and citizen trust.
This conference is hosted by the UQ Cyber Research Centre, The University of Queensland, in partnership with ICRIER. It is the culminating feedback event for the AICCTP-funded project A Paradigmatic Shift in Public Service Delivery, examining inclusive, efficient, and secure DPI in India and Australia, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership.
The conference is a focused consultation forum. Participants will critically engage with the draft report's India-Australia comparative analysis and policy recommendations ahead of final publication, providing structured feedback on the project's DPI Evaluation Framework.
Project Background
Two stakeholder workshops were conducted in New Delhi as part of the primary research programme, engaging policymakers, technologists, civil society, and practitioners on each focal use case.
A full-day hybrid workshop examining India's Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission alongside Australia's Digital Health system. Experts deliberated on interoperability, inclusion, governance, and cybersecurity in DPI-enabled health systems.
A roundtable examining India's Direct Benefit Transfer ecosystem with comparative reflections on Australia's digital welfare architecture. Discussions covered the interaction between inclusion, efficiency, and cybersecurity in DPI-enabled welfare systems.
Conference Structure
Three structured thematic sessions will guide expert feedback on the draft report's findings, comparative analysis, and policy recommendations.
Barriers to participation, last-mile access, digital literacy, intermediary support, and exclusion risks in DPI-enabled service delivery for diverse and vulnerable populations, including women, people with disabilities, remote communities, and digitally excluded users.
Administrative coordination, interoperability, cost reduction, transaction speed, and monitoring within DPI-enabled welfare and health systems, including the trade-offs between efficiency gains and fairness, due process, and human-centred service design.
Cybersecurity risk, privacy-preserving design, consent mechanisms, data governance, incident response, grievance redressal, and institutional accountability. The discussion will consider how security can be embedded in DPI design without compromising accessibility or inclusion.
Programme
Thursday, 30 July 2026 · The University of Queensland, Brisbane · 1:00 PM to 5:45 PM AEST
| AEST / Brisbane | IST / New Delhi | Session |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 PM – 1:20 PM | 8:30 AM – 8:50 AM | Welcome and Introductions |
| 1:20 PM – 1:40 PM | 8:50 AM – 9:10 AM | Presentation of Draft Report |
| 1:40 PM – 3:10 PM | 9:10 AM – 10:40 AM | Panel — Structured Feedback Discussion |
| 3:10 PM – 3:40 PM | 10:40 AM – 11:10 AM | Refreshment Break |
| 3:40 PM – 4:00 PM | 11:10 AM – 11:30 AM | Keynote Address 1 — To be announced |
| 4:00 PM – 4:20 PM | 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM | Keynote Address 2 — To be confirmed |
| 4:20 PM – 4:45 PM | 11:50 AM – 12:15 PM | Lightning Talks |
| 4:45 PM – 5:00 PM | 12:15 PM – 12:30 PM | Synthesis, Next Steps, and Closing |
| 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM | 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM | Dinner |
Invited Participants
Organising Partners
Participation
We welcome participation from policymakers, technologists, researchers, civil society organisations, and practitioners working across digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity, welfare delivery, and digital health. Please contact the organising team to register or for further information.
Register NowRegistration deadline: [To be confirmed]
