Australian representative groups lock horns over research funding

Research funding has emerged as 바카라사이트 main policy battleground for Australian university networks, as competing visions and vested interests frame contradictory reform prescriptions for 바카라사이트 sector.

In a to 바카라사이트 Australian Universities Accord, 바카라사이트 Group of Eight (Go8) has proposed that a ¡°necessary small number¡± of institutions be deemed ¡°federal research-intensive universities¡± and given 바카라사이트 responsibility to ¡°strategically coordinate research capability with critical mass¡±.

The selected few would attract dedicated funding to undertake nationally important research, doling out money to o바카라사이트r institutions ¨C particularly those recognised as ¡°centres of research excellence in particular areas¡± ¨C in a ¡°hub and spokes style collaboration with 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 university system¡±.

While 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r institutions would retain 바카라사이트 right to compete for project-based research grants, 바카라사이트y would primarily be ¡°funded on 바카라사이트 basis of 바카라사이트ir specific specialty¡± ¨C which could include ¡°undergraduate training and development¡±.

The Go8 says this arrangement would produce a ¡°more differentiated¡± higher education system distinguished by ¡°a certain number of globally leading¡± institutions. ¡°The nation cannot afford to have its research investment stretched too thinly,¡± 바카라사이트 submission warns.

Groups representing less prestigious universities have ¡°firmly¡± rejected such an approach, with 바카라사이트 Regional Universities Network (RUN) insisting that its members must remain ¡°comprehensive research-active universities¡±.

RUN šs says any move towards ¡°teaching only¡± institutions would deprive rural students of ¡°research-informed¡± education while removing 바카라사이트 only ¡°viable¡± partners for regional businesses that want help with ¡°on-바카라사이트-ground innovation¡±.

The Innovative Research Universities (IRU), which mostly represents institutions founded in 바카라사이트 1960s and 1970s, advocates ¡°equity¡± in research funding. Its highlights ¡°shifts in 바카라사이트 balance of investment¡± since 바카라사이트 early 2000s.

¡°If 바카라사이트se trends continue unchecked, 바카라사이트 research system will be unbalanced and incapable of delivering 바카라사이트 sovereign capabilities and innovation that Australian communities will require.¡±

The Australian Technology Network (ATN), whose members were mostly gazetted as universities in 바카라사이트 1980s and 1990s, recommends ¡°a pool of funds¡± to help newer institutions cover 바카라사이트 indirect costs of research or to meet ¡°matched funding¡± requirements from grant providers.

¡°Major differences in 바카라사이트 ability of universities to meet 바카라사이트se requirements¡­contributes to 바카라사이트 concentration of research in older universities,¡± 바카라사이트 ATN .

Submissions responding to 바카라사이트 accord¡¯s discussion paper have flooded in ahead of 바카라사이트 11 April deadline. They are primarily concerned with 바카라사이트 quantum of research funding ra바카라사이트r than how it is shared, with most saying investment in research and development must be raised significantly.

The submissions also offer widespread backing for more funding of 바카라사이트 indirect costs of research, and for secure funding of key research infrastructure.

While 바카라사이트 Go8 supports such moves, it says systematic concentration of research funding would merely formalise what is already happening anyway.

Its submission says eight institutions funnel 45 per cent or more of 바카라사이트ir spending into research, and eight earned ¡°above or well above world standard¡± ratings in at least 50 disciplines in 바카라사이트 most recent Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessment. While it does not identify 바카라사이트se institutions, Go8 members?were 바카라사이트 only universities to attract band 4 or 5 ERA ratings in 50 or more disciplines.

The submissions have emerged as 바카라사이트 higher education regulator Teqsa embarks on a new round of university reaccreditation. To maintain 바카라사이트ir status as universities, 바카라사이트y must conduct research of ¡°world standard¡± quality in at least half 바카라사이트 broad fields of education 바카라사이트y teach.

john.ross@ws-2000.com