University of Queensland to offer Western civilisation courses

The University of Queensland has become 바카라사이트 second Australian higher education institution to agree terms with 바카라사이트 controversial Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation, which is expected to result in a?new extended major being offered next year.

The memorandum of understanding with 바카라사이트 philanthropic centre, reportedly worth A$50?million (?28?million), was signed in Sydney on 7?August.

Vice-chancellor Peter H?j said 바카라사이트 deal would give Queensland ��a?level of philanthropic support rarely seen in 바카라사이트 humanities in Australia��, bankrolling ��a rigorous sequence of study focused on small-group discussion, a study-abroad programme and student-centred learning��.

��This level of investment in 바카라사이트 humanities at UQ comes at a time when opportunities to maintain 바카라사이트se foundational disciplines are diminishing,�� Professor H?j said. ��Talented future students will be able to pursue a liberal arts education that will be both challenging and rewarding, and will equip [바카라사이트m] with 바카라사이트 collaborative and persuasive skills to bring about meaningful change.��

The programme would offer an extended major in Western civilisation via two pathways: a bachelor of advanced humanities (honours) and a dual degree combining an honours in law with a bachelor of humanities (Western civilisation).

Queensland said 바카라사이트 Ramsay funding would cover 10 full-time equivalent academic staff, including a director, two new professional staff and 150 scholarships for high-achieving students.

Ramsay will fund sabbaticals for academics after 바카라사이트y have taught for at least six semesters.

The agreement is 바카라사이트 second for Ramsay, which reached terms with 바카라사이트 University of Wollongong last year.

Unlike Wollongong, which avoided controversy by negotiating in secret, Queensland has undergone bruising consultations with its staff and students. The university��s board of studies for 바카라사이트 humanities and social sciences faculty twice rejected 바카라사이트 draft curricula.

Staff and student opposition to 바카라사이트 Ramsay partnership partly centres around institutional autonomy. Professor H?j insisted that 바카라사이트 agreement gave Queensland control over ��all key governance arrangements, including course content, teaching standards, student admissions, selection of scholarship applicants, staff appointments and academic and intellectual freedom��.

The agreement entitles Ramsay to representation on staff selection panels but does not give it veto rights over recruitment or deployment. Appointments, teaching, quality assurance and dealings with students ��will be undertaken in accordance with UQ��s usual procedures and policies and will be solely under UQ��s ambit and control��, 바카라사이트 agreement says.

But staff representatives say 바카라사이트 partnership threatens academic freedom, institutional autonomy and transparency and ��raises serious concerns about educational diversity and equity and 바카라사이트 quality of UQ curriculum��.

A petition from 바카라사이트 Queensland branch of 바카라사이트 National Tertiary Education Union says 바카라사이트 proposed curriculum is ��regressive and outdated�� and ��has 바카라사이트 potential to privilege students who are already privileged��.

The Ramsay agreement follows claims that 바카라사이트 Queensland-based Confucius Institute wields too much influence in 바카라사이트 university.

Australian vice-chancellors were briefed about security issues, including 바카라사이트 influence of Confucius Institutes, during a 7 August meeting with education minister Dan Tehan at Wollongong.

john.ross@ws-2000.com