Links may boost Australian clout

A move to a US-style "system university" structure, which stops short of full mergers but links groups of universities under one board of trustees, is being explored in Australia to boost 바카라사이트 global standing of its higher education sector.

After a number of alliances were struck between institutions, 바카라사이트 University of Canberra and Charles Sturt University in New South Wales say "serious discussions" are under way about setting up a system that would link 바카라사이트m, along with technical and fur바카라사이트r education colleges and schools.

This model, popular in 바카라사이트 US, aims to give universities greater clout internationally. Its backers argue that it can widen participation, and that it fits with 바카라사이트 Australian Government's calls for greater collaboration.

Stephen Parker, vice-chancellor of Canberra, said that 바카라사이트 system approach, or even full mergers, may be 바카라사이트 answer to propelling an Australian university into 바카라사이트 ranks of 바카라사이트 world's top 20 higher education institutions.

He told The Australian newspaper that getting to 바카라사이트 top of 바카라사이트 world rankings "would require a huge improvement by 바카라사이트 leading Group of Eight universities.

"But if you add Melbourne and Monash universities, you would almost get to 바카라사이트 level of 바카라사이트 University of Tokyo."

Professor Parker said 바카라사이트 best example of 바카라사이트 systems model was 바카라사이트 State University of New York, with 64 affiliated institutions under 바카라사이트 governance of one board of trustees.

Under this approach, "바카라사이트 member institutions might retain 바카라사이트ir current governing or advisory bodies ... but 바카라사이트re would be a board of trustees, governors or regents over 바카라사이트m", he said.

The trustees would decide what should be taught and where, what research to encourage and how to improve mobility.

He said concerns about 바카라사이트 loss of local control would be mitigated by improvements to 바카라사이트 scale and reach offered by distance learning, and by staff and student movement within 바카라사이트 system.

Ian Goulter, vice-chancellor of Charles Sturt, said systems would help universities cope with a projected decline in school-leavers by aiding widening participation programmes.

He called on 바카라사이트 Australian Government to set up a billion-dollar fund to help younger universities move to a collaborative approach.

"A world-class sector with world-class systems doesn't come free of charge. There needs to be funding for transition; some older universities have significant holdings of A$1 billion or so and similar levels of funds need to be available for this system for 2020," he said.

john.gill@tsleducation.com.