ATAR not everything

29/11/2012 by
David Battersby

30 November 2012 Recent reports are much exaggerated that there will be a lowering of standards and eventually some type of armageddon because universities are admitting “sub-par” students, as measured by their ATAR. The Minister, Chis Evans, quickly rejected the hyper-inflated rhetoric about the lowering of standards and the perceived armageddon that awaited us.   Others reminded us that we conveniently forget that non-recent school leavers, many with post-secondary school qualifications, make up the majority of those commencing university these days. From the recent hyperbole, a more insightful question has emerged about whether the original purpose of the ATAR is becoming a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Commonwealth policies, University of Ballarat Tagged With: , , , , ,

End the Cycle Exhibition

29/11/2012 by
End the cycle1

3-31 December City Library 253 Flinders Lane Melbourne This exhibition focuses on stories and images of people with disabilities living in Bangla Desh, Cambodia and the Solomon Islands.3 December is International Day of People with Disabilities. End the Cycle website. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community engagement Tagged With: , ,

New national investment plan to “drive top class research”

29/11/2012 by
Research2

29 November 2012 A  new whole-of-government approach to research funding -  the National Research Investment Plan - will ensure Australians continue to benefit from a record investment in science and research, according to Commonwealth minister, Senator Chris Evans. …for the first time, a comprehensive national research planning process will enable a coordinated approach to research investment to ensure it meets national needs and provides value for money. He said the Gillard Government is investing almost $9 billion in science, research and innovation, an overall increase in funding of 35% since 2007. Universities Australia (UA) welcomed the plan as a much needed coherent framework … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Budget, Research, Universities Australia Tagged With: , ,

Cuts to VCAL will widen rich-poor and urban/rural gap: Vic Auditor-General

29/11/2012 by
vcalbookletcover

The Age    |    29 November 2012 A scathing report by Victorian Auditor-General Des Pearson t said the state government's decision to slash funding for the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning was ill-advised and not based on evidence. The report on school completion rates also found that the gap between rich and poor students, and rural and city schools, is widening. Last year,  60%  of students from poor areas completed year 12 compared with 80% in wealthier areas. Pearson said the Education Department ignored important research and did not consult schools about its cuts to VCAL coordinators, which will save $12.3 million a year. The department ''did not have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Budget, Coalition policies, Schools, Vocational education & training Tagged With: , , ,

RMIT axes fitters course

29/11/2012 by

The Age   |    29 November 2012 The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union has lambasted a decision by RMIT University to  axe a TAFE course that trains apprentices to work in the manufacturing industry.  The mechanical trade engineering course prepared apprentices for work as mechanical fitters or machinists. AMWU state secretary Steve Dargavel said RMIT's course was unique to the vocational training sector. ''There's really no place like RMIT,'' he said, adding the course had been taught for more than 100 years. We don't have a skills shortage so much as a training shortage.  If you don't have fitters and turners you don't have manufacturing. RMIT's head of engineering, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: RMIT, TAFE, Uncategorized, Vocational education & training Tagged With: ,
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