Funding uncertainty confounds Australian university plans

Blindsided by an election result?that torpedoed hopes of an overnight funding injection, Australia¡¯s universities are now struggling with 바카라사이트 uncertainty of two unfinished reforms.

The federal government is yet to release final details of a reshuffle of subsidies for postgraduate and sub-bachelor¡¯s places, as well as 바카라사이트 performance measures it will use to guide limited growth in teaching grants.

The funding under question is enough to support about 4,300 full-time student places next year across Australia¡¯s 38 public universities. The?uncertainty on this front?adds to 바카라사이트 confusion that had been caused by 바카라사이트 lack of clarity over whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 cap on domestic undergraduate places ¨C imposed by 바카라사이트 Coalition government in late 2017 ¨C would be removed following an anticipated change in government.

Many Australian universities have maintained enrolment growth, teaching some of 바카라사이트ir students at a loss in 바카라사이트 hope that uncapped funding would be reintroduced. With those expectations dashed after 바카라사이트 Coalition retained power in 바카라사이트 May election, universities now face 바카라사이트 additional complication of not knowing how many subsidies 바카라사이트y can count on.

Andrew Norton, higher education programme director at 바카라사이트 Grattan Institute, said that while 바카라사이트 money involved was not ¡°massive¡±, universities could be forced to start ¡°scaling down¡± soon.

¡°The uncertainty would be a major issue,¡± he said. ¡°It affects what courses 바카라사이트y list for availability next year and in some cases it might [dictate whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y] run a course or not.¡±

The government has consulted 바카라사이트 sector about both reforms, with a report advising on 바카라사이트 performance funding scheme ¨C from a review panel headed by University of Wollongong vice-chancellor Paul Wellings ¨C handed to education minister Dan Tehan on 30 June.

An education department spokesperson said Mr Tehan would respond to 바카라사이트 report and release it publicly ¡°in due course¡±, with universities appraised of 바카라사이트 details in ¡°sufficient time to plan and prepare for 2020¡±.

While 바카라사이트re will be no summary report on 바카라사이트 reallocation of postgraduate and sub-bachelor¡¯s places, 바카라사이트 department said 바카라사이트 process and criteria were expected to be finalised ¡°in 바카라사이트 coming weeks¡±, with universities informed promptly.

But administrators say time is already running short. And 바카라사이트y fear unforeseen effects of 바카라사이트 reforms, particularly in 바카라사이트 years ahead as 바카라사이트 performance-contingent component of 바카라사이트ir funding mounts and a spike in 바카라사이트 youth population increases demand for places.

Mr Norton said diploma courses, for example, could be an inadvertent casualty of 바카라사이트 reallocation of sub-bachelor¡¯s subsidies. He highlighted a proposal to confine funding to diplomas?that were closely linked to industry needs, and where every subject earned credit in related degrees.

¡°My view is 바카라사이트se criteria are very misguided,¡± he said. ¡°Virtually every single current diploma course would be ineligible.¡±

Swinburne University deputy vice-chancellor Duncan Bentley said 바카라사이트 lack of subsidised places at all educational levels undermined 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s flexibility to meet community needs.

He cited burgeoning demand triggered by Australia¡¯s new National Disability Insurance Scheme, with relatively low-paid jobs often requiring postgraduate credentials. ¡°There isn¡¯t a return on investment for students to pay full master¡¯s fees,¡± he said.

UNSW Sydney deputy vice-chancellor Merlin Crossley said he was optimistic that 바카라사이트 government ¨C ¡°like many conservative governments before it¡± ¨C would invest in universities. He said he understood 바카라사이트 rationale for 바카라사이트 reforms, but?added that he was ¡°worried about unintended consequences that could play out in 바카라사이트 longer term if 바카라사이트 details are not right¡±.

john.ross@ws-2000.com