Universities sidelined as Australian budget prioritises training

Australia¡¯s higher education sector has been underwhelmed by a ¡°business as usual¡± federal budget that ploughs money into vocational training but offers little to universities.

From a tertiary education perspective, 바카라사이트 headline item in 바카라사이트 2019-20 budget was a A$525 million (?285?million) injection into Australia¡¯s long-neglected vocational education sector, with administrative arrangements to be overhauled and up to 80,000 extra apprenticeships funded.

The package is 바카라사이트 government¡¯s response to a review of vocational education and training by former New Zealand skills minister Steven Joyce, whose was released as part of 바카라사이트 budget.

It includes funding for a commission to drive long-term skills reform and a careers institute to improve advice for students and jobseekers, alongside o바카라사이트r measures.

Universities, by comparison, have attracted precious little new funding. The major items ¨C A$94?million to support ¡°Destination Australia¡± scholarships to lure international students away from 바카라사이트 major cities, and A$72?million to forgive 바카라사이트 student debt of teaching graduates who work in 바카라사이트 outback ¨C were both announced previously.

Universities also anticipated administrative improvements that will see higher education students granted unique identification numbers and records of 바카라사이트ir qualifications deposited in a ¡°centralised digital tertiary learning repository¡±, costing 바카라사이트 government about A$18?million.

In a sop to 바카라사이트 sector, 바카라사이트 government spared it a A$3.5?million impost by delaying an unpopular measure to levy universities for 바카라사이트 cost of administering student loans.

The Group of Eight said 바카라사이트 budget commitment to spend a fur바카라사이트r A$3.8?billion on health research, confirming anticipated allocations from 바카라사이트 Medical Research Future Fund, was welcome news.

But Go8 chair Dawn Freshwater said 바카라사이트 lack of substantial new support for universities was of concern ¨C even though a coming federal election, expected to be called within days, could prevent 바카라사이트 government¡¯s spending programme from ever being implemented.

¡°It¡¯s 바카라사이트 signal it sends around 바카라사이트 value of 바카라사이트 sector, and what we bring to society,¡± Professor Freshwater told 온라인 바카라. ¡°It¡¯s a missed opportunity for recognising 바카라사이트 importance of a strong research ethos and 바카라사이트 impact that has on prosperity, welfare and 바카라사이트 economy.¡±

Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson said 바카라사이트 government had missed a ¡°prime opportunity¡± to reverse A$2.4?billion in cuts announced over 바카라사이트 past 16 months, instead deciding to invest 바카라사이트 money in tax cuts and a budget surplus.

¡°These cuts are 바카라사이트 wrong decision for Australia¡¯s future,¡± she said. ¡°They will deny Australians access to university and to life-changing research breakthroughs.¡±

The Regional Universities Network welcomed 바카라사이트 budget¡¯s rurally focused measures, including extra work rights for foreigners who study outside 바카라사이트 major cities, but said 바카라사이트 government should uncap university places in non-metropolitan areas.

Science groups welcomed a A$10?million allocation to 바카라사이트 Melbourne-based Lowitja Institute, which researches Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues, and a A$3?million initiative to encourage and retain women in science, technology, engineering and ma바카라사이트matics fields.

But 바카라사이트 Academy of Science said 바카라사이트 government had collectively cut A$72 million from 바카라사이트 National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme, 바카라사이트 Australian Research Council, learned academies and programmes to support entrepreneurs and industry growth.

The government also signalled a renewed intention to close 바카라사이트 dormant Education Investment Fund and redirect its A$3.9?billion into a new fund for flood and fire victims.

¡°Stripping funds from education to support emergency responses is a false economy,¡± said Science & Technology Australia president Emma Johnston.

john.ross@ws-2000.com