The Australian | 18 September 2013 La Trobe vice-chancellor John Dewar has warned that the university is overdue for a "root-and-branch" crackdown on costs, having systematically avoided addressing funding issues for the past 10-15 years. La Trobe is behind its growth target by about 1200 full-time students, amounting to a revenue shortfall of up to $25m by 2015 and an overall deficit of $65 m. There are some worries that the vice-chancellor's targets for boosting performance may be unaffordable. And there are concerns that in seeking to attract students with higher ATARs, the university's original mission to increase participation could be diluted. But Dewar rejects … [Read more...]
Training and education separated
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The Australian | 19 September 2013 There was speculation after the announcement of Tony Abbott's ministry early in the week as to who would be handling VET matters within the education portfolio. The Scan initially suggested Sussan Ley but pulled that down when the now prime minister said that, while the division of responsibilities inside the education portfolio was yet to be settled, higher education and schools would largely remain the responsibility of Christopher Pyne, Sussan Ley would continue to look after early childhood education and childcare and Scott Ryan "quite possibly" would have responsibility for curriculum. One commentator predicted Ley would take the lead on … [Read more...]
The Administrative Arrangements Order 2013
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Australian Government | 18 September 2013 The Administrative Arrangements Order establishes the machinery of government for the time being, lists the responsibilities of the departments of state and legislation administered by each minister. The Department of Education Matters dealt with by the Department of Education Schools education policy and programmes, including vocational education and training in schools, but excluding migrant adult education Schooling transitions policy and programmes including career pathways Education and training transitions policy and programmes Youth affairs and programmes, including youth transitions Early childhood and childcare … [Read more...]
HE in TAFE still low but growing
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The Age | 16 September 2013 The number of Victorian students enrolling in bachelor degrees at TAFEs instead of universities has more than doubled, from a low base, in the past five years, going from 640 enrolments in 2008 to 1520 in 2012. When associate degrees are counted, the figure more than doubles again to about 3500. The increase is a mostly Victorian phenomenon, with 44 of the 53 bachelor qualifications being delivered at TAFEs around Australia, being delivered in Victoria. Martin Riordan of TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) says TDA has been mentoring and encouraging a trend that has also taken hold in Europe and North America. He said the rise is being … [Read more...]
Lilydale grant to be scrutinised
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The Age | 16 September 2013 The Victorian Auditor-General is set to investigate a $100,000 payment to Yarra Ranges Council over a potential conflict of interest. The government gave the money to the council so it could investigate and draw up a plan for the future use of the closed Swinburne University Lilydale campus. In August, Labor MP Shaun Leane called on the Auditor-General to investigate the payment, saying there was an ''obvious conflict of interest'' as the council said it wanted to move its offices to the site. Auditor-General John Doyle replied to Leane saying he ''would be pleased to consider the matters you have raised as part of the next VAGO [Victorian … [Read more...]
The practical benefits of impractical research
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Group of Eight | 19 September 2013 Today’s eccentric can become tomorrow’s Nobel Prize winner With the Coalition government intending to redirect funding from so-called "ridiculous research", it's worth re-visiting this item from 30 April 2013 on the practical value of impractical research - and the contribution to the wellbeing of communities of research in the humanities and social sciences. In one of its regular policy notes, the Group of Eight acknowledges the value of applied research, “the more tactical, short term research intended to realise already identified market and other opportunities”. It’s sometimes argued that, with pressures on public budgets, if governments … [Read more...]
Innovating from the edges in South Australia
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South Australia has an interesting, sometimes paradoxical relationship with change. One the one hand very conservative, at the same time South Australian attracts national interest for innovative, progressive initiatives. The Thinkers in Residence Program (recently defunded) hosted Martin Seligman and Carla Rinaldi to challenge the state to reimagine and recreate their education system. South Australia is now attracting attention with a grassroots movement that seeks to innovate from the edges of the education system. CoCreate Education was founded by a group of educators and entrepreneurs on the premise that education is ripe for disruptive innovation. They claim that … [Read more...]
The scope and relevance of research to everyday life : ATN’s 50 solutions
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19 September 2013 Research is taking place in all Australian universities that has the power to save lives, boost economic development, create wealth, re-invent manufacturing and much, much more. Presented here are fifty examples of research outcomes generated by Australian Technology Network (ATN) member universities. They demonstrate the diversity of enquiry and the potential impact this work can have on both Australian society and indeed the world. … [Read more...]
