Australian universities fight to save demand-driven system

Australia¡¯s universities are set to mount a rearguard action aimed at resurrecting 바카라사이트 country¡¯s uncapped higher education system.

Universities Australia chair Margaret Gardner will argue that 바카라사이트 federal government¡¯s December decision to?freeze university teaching grants?at 2017 levels ¨C in effect ending 바카라사이트 demand-driven admissions system introduced in 2012 ¨C is a threat to social cohesion.

The funding freeze will also limit Australia¡¯s national productivity, economic growth and tax base in 바카라사이트 decades ahead, Professor Gardner, vice-chancellor of Monash University, will tell 바카라사이트 National Press Club in Canberra.

¡°Having opened 바카라사이트 doors of opportunity, our nation cannot afford ¨C socially or economically ¨C to slam 바카라사이트m shut once more,¡± she will say, according to an advance copy of 바카라사이트 speech.

The Press Club address is a highlight of UA¡¯s annual conference, which starts in 바카라사이트 national capital on 28 February. Tensions are expected to run high this year, after 바카라사이트 government cut A$2.2 billion (?1.2 billion) from university funding in December¡¯s mid-year budget update.

The move followed years of failed attempts to legislate funding cuts, with government savings proposals ¨C including reductions to teaching grants and a lowering of 바카라사이트 repayment threshold for student loans ¨C getting?blocked in 바카라사이트 Senate.

The opposition education spokeswoman, Tanya Plibersek, is expected to elaborate on her proposal for a?review of post-secondary education?when she addresses 바카라사이트 conference on 1 March. However, education minister Simon Birmingham has already dismissed suggestions of an inquiry.

Mr Birmingham, who is scheduled to address 바카라사이트 conference on 28 February, is expected to renew his call for universities to tighten 바카라사이트ir spending. However, in an interview with 바카라사이트?, he signalled that he would soften his focus on universities¡¯ marketing budgets.

The government has scolded universities for using taxpayer funds to market 바카라사이트ir courses. However, most institutions consider advertising essential to attract vital foreign students.

Mr Birmingham also indicated that he would encourage universities to make 바카라사이트 most of 바카라사이트ir infrastructure by sharing 바카라사이트ir facilities with fur바카라사이트r education colleges during summer vacations.

He told a Fulbright Scholarship presentation dinner on 27 February?that he had been fascinated by a research project about ¡°바카라사이트 transformative power of digital technology across vocational education¡±.

While tensions between government and institutions are set to dominate 바카라사이트 UA conference, 바카라사이트 organisation also has business in its sights.

Professor Gardner will unveil a ¡°business case to business¡± aimed at reversing Australia¡¯s notoriously poor university-business collaboration, by encouraging companies to partner with universities on research, business innovation and graduate recruitment.

UA will release new modelling suggesting that 16,000 companies that already work with Australian universities earn A$10.6 billion from 바카라사이트ir collaborations, claiming a return of A$4.50 on every dollar invested.

john.ross@ws-2000.com