It would be reasonable to assume, as many people do, that the word university derives from the Latin universitas, meaning the whole, entire, and is related to the universality of knowledge and learning that notionally characterises a university. Reasonable but not quite on the mark. It actually comes from a contraction of the Latin phrase universitas magistrorum et scholarium, meaning a community of masters (teachers) and scholars (students). So from the earliest times, teaching and learning - the transmission of knowledge and understanding - have been at the heart of a university's mission. Through the centuries, universities have further emerged as the primary agents of knowledge … [Read more...]
The art of tea
19/09/2012 By
On the US website Slate in early 2011, the late Christopher Hitchens advised that “US style of tea is best thrown away”. In a complaint that will resonate with many travellers to the US, Hitchen's main gripe was that Americans seem to offer only cups of tepid water, with teabags served separately. Indeed, I was once escorted - rather forcefully - from the kitchen of The Jefferson in Washington for offering an accelerated lesson to kitchen staff in the art of making tea. Hitchens provided a list of guiding principles, the most important of which is making sure that boiling water is added to the tea. "Grasp only this, and you hold the root of the matter." Next, he insisted … [Read more...]
NCVER publications & events September 2012
19/09/2012 By
NCVER News 18 September 2012 NCVER Research Forum: Does completing matter? Understanding and measuring completions in VET, 21 November, Melbourne NCVER is hosting a national one-day research forum to discuss the issue of completing a vocational education and training (VET) qualification, looking at what we know about completions and the pay-off to completion. We will examine how completions are measured, ways to improve completion rates and the extent to which completion matters. For further information and to register, please visit NCVER Research Forum Geographical dimensions of social inclusion and VET in Australia: an overview Chandra Shah, Susan Webb, Aaron Nicholas, Denise … [Read more...]
Over-education, under-education and credentialism
19/09/2012 By
NCVER Newsroom 19 September 2012 Extensive research has that shown that, in general, the more years of education that a person has, the more money they are likely to earn. But can you have too much education for what your job requires and, if so, what does this mean in terms of wage returns? Using the 2006 Census data, this report looks at the mismatch between the required level of education for occupations and the actual education level held by an individual and the resulting wage returns by applying what is known as the ORU model: over-education, required education, under-education. The notion of credentialism – the general increase in the level of education of workers that is … [Read more...]
Campus closures, course cuts, fee increases, job losses
19/09/2012 By
The Australian 19 September 2012 A leaked summary of Victorian TAFE transition plans reveals plans for possible mergers, takeovers and asset swaps. The document, which summarises TAFE strategies to survive a $300 million budget cut, covers Victoria's 14 stand-alone institutes and four dual-sector universities as well as a surprise entry from La Trobe University. La Trobe, which does not have a TAFE division, plans to pursue partnerships with several regional TAFEs to help shore up the viability of three of its regional campuses. This could affect the medium-term viability of the University of Ballarat, which is pursuing partnerships with the same TAFEs. If that transpires, … [Read more...]
TAFE strike
19/09/2012 By
NTEU Newsroom AEU Newsroom 18 September 2012 TAFE unions have called an "emergency rally" and will strike on Thursday 20 September, saying that they "are now fighting for the very survival of TAFE in Victoria" following the disclosure of "how savage and devastating the Baillieu Government's TAFE cuts are for the Victorian economy and the futures of young people. The strike will include all staff in dual sector institutions. The strike action will be unprotected. Australian Education Union TAFE president Greg Barclay said protected action was only possible during a bargaining period. Yes it will be disruptive but it is nowhere near as disruptive as those … [Read more...]
