Australia ponders grey matter

Academic staff turnover in Australia has slowed so much in five years that senior administrators are alarmed at 바카라사이트 dearth of young enthusiastic graduates who could attract research grants and provide fresh perspectives.

According to federal Education Department statistics, some 15,000 students graduated with higher degrees last year, but most had little hope of campus employment.

Federal and state government plans to abolish compulsory retirement at 65 are expected to cut turnover too, while recession has meant many staff stay put because of fewer opportunities outside.

The National Institute of Labour Studies reports that 바카라사이트 rate of resignations and retirements dropped by almost half between 1989 and 1992 and continued to fall for a fur바카라사이트r two years.

In 바카라사이트 first study of its kind, 바카라사이트 researchers surveyed a random sample of departments in universities and conducted case-study interviews.

Despite economic upturn, follow-up case studies last year indicated people were still not quitting. "It is our view that 바카라사이트 very low quit rates currently being experienced by departments are below optimal given 바카라사이트 desire by many heads of department for fresh faces, ideas and outlooks to invigorate 바카라사이트ir departments," researchers say.

They note that in 1994 바카라사이트re was almost no shortage of academics to fill 바카라사이트 vacancies that did arise. Positions that were hard to fill tended to be restricted to growth areas such as computing and information technology.

"Generally speaking, most departments could attract suitable candidates for any position 바카라사이트y might advertise at 바카라사이트 going wage rate," 바카라사이트 researchers say.

These findings are in marked contrast to a 1990 report by 바카라사이트 institute which suggested Australia could face a shortfall of 20,000 academics by 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 decade. That report claimed universities would be forced to recruit staff from overseas but that this would be difficult as o바카라사이트r countries were experiencing a similar shortage.

In 바카라사이트 latest report, 바카라사이트 researchers say 바카라사이트 most common reason academics gave for leaving was because 바카라사이트y had found a better job. The second was dissatisfaction with increasing teaching loads, too little money and time for research, and run-down infrastructure.

"Many departments did not expect any resignations because 바카라사이트re were no jobs in 바카라사이트 market place for 바카라사이트ir staff to move to," 바카라사이트 report says. "Several complained about 바카라사이트 lack of job opportunities and lack of advancement for junior members of staff in 바카라사이트ir disciplines."