______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Pyne introduces reform bill 28 August 2014 | The government introduced its higher education reform legislation into Parliament – the Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014. As anticipated, the legislation closely mirrors the announcement on budget night. There is to be fee deregulation with a requirement that 20% of net additional revenue from fee increases be set aside for equity scholarships. Students’ loans through the HELP scheme will be indexed at the 10-year bond rate … [Read more...]
Paralysis by analysis
29/08/2014 by
29 August 2014 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… I was recently introduced to the term “paralysis by analysis”, which put me in mind of the vocational education and training sector. VET must surely be the most officially inquired into, reported and advised on – and “reformed” – activity in Australia. At any time, in recent years at least, there some sort of government initiated inquiry going on in one of the nine jurisdictions (the Commonwealth and eight states and territories). ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Commonwealth industry minister Ian Macfarlane recently announced the appointment of a five-member Vocational Education and Training Advisory Board, charged with … [Read more...]
Balancing act by universities can neutralise the effects of funding cuts
29/08/2014 by
28 August 2014 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Fairfax Media reported on 26 August on “leaked modelling” presented to a “confidential briefing” conducted by the LH Martin Institute that would see elite universities (the Group of Eight) reap massive benefits from higher education deregulation, while less elite universities, particularly regional universities, would struggle. Not quite so: the briefing was conducted at a public forum and a description of the modelling is posted on the LH Martin website. The point that the authors of the modelling sought to make is that the götterdämmerung scenario of sky rocketing fees and crippling student debt doesn’t necessarily follow from … [Read more...]
The higher education reform bill
29/08/2014 by
The Conversation | 28 August 2014 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… On 28 August, the government introduced its higher education reform legislation into Parliament - the Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014. As anticipated, the legislation closely mirrors the announcement on budget night. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Education minister Christopher Pyne introduces reform bill There is to be fee deregulation with a requirement that 20% of net revenue be set aside for equity scholarships. This 20% is from additional revenue raised after taking into account what was lost in the funding cuts. Students' loans through the HELP scheme will … [Read more...]
Ivory Tower
28/08/2014 by
28 August 2014 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… There are many aspects of the US system of higher education which are admirable and which we in Australia should seek to adapt to our own circumstances - such as a liberal arts education (which includes sciences) as a precursor to a professional qualification and community colleges. And we are. However, the US system of financing what they call "tuition" is somewhat more problematic: it's a big mainstream political issue in the US, as shown in a recent documentary which featured at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. The pre-release publicity for this documentary describes its a its "a must see for every parent and student facing … [Read more...]
Christopher Pyne introduces the higher education reform bill
28/08/2014 by
28 August 2014 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Christopher Pyne's second reading speech on the Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 and reappoints Ian Chubb as vice-chancellor of ANU. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Read the second reading speech HERE … [Read more...]
UA calls for passage of deregulation package – with amendments
28/08/2014 by
Universities Australia | 28 August 2014 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Universities Australia (UA) has called on the Parliament to support the deregulation of Australian universities with changes to the government's proposals that it says will assure affordability for students and taxpayers. . ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… UA chief executive, Belinda Robinson, said that the Parliament had a once in a generation opportunity to shape an Australian higher education system that is sustainable, affordable and equitable in serving the best interests of students and the nation. "With budgets under pressure, governments faced with a myriad of competing … [Read more...]
