No.109

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The polytech movement gathers pace

Encouraged by remarks by the Commonwealth minister that he’s looking afresh at tertiary “inter-connectedness”, five tertiary institutions* are proposing a national network that brings together the strengths of TAFE and higher education traditions, enabling degrees to be studied initially at TAFE institute campuses in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Students would  be able to study degrees in face-to-face, online or blended modes, with extra support depending on their needs and requirements of the course.….[READ MORE]….

Teaching only roles on the rise

The number of teaching-only academics is expected to rise markedly as industrial relations in the sector responds to myriad pressures for change in the traditional academic role.  Author of a new report on the topic, Belinda Probert  (La Trobe University) points to a shift in attitude by the academic union, the appetite for more teaching academics on the part of university managers and the expiry of many enterprise agreements yet to make provision for these roles….[READ MORE]….

NSW to “lift bar” for teacher training

Student teachers  in NSW will sit mandatory literacy and numeracy tests before being allowed into classrooms, while only school leavers who score above 80 in three subjects will make it into university courses, as part  are part of  sweeping reforms designed to improve the quality of teachers in NSW (Great Teaching, Inspired Learning)….[READ MORE]….

Teacher training “at the crossroads”

Universities in Victoria have been accused by school principals of allowing teacher-trainees to graduate despite failing their final practice rounds in schools. For most student teachers, this is in the fourth year of their bachelor of education degree. Around Australia, school leaders and state governments have been highly critical of education faculties that lower entry standards to admit too many students and then fail to provide the training and classroom experience they need….[READ MORE]….

Too much regulation stifles innovation

Fred Hilmer (vice-chancellor of UNSW and chair of the Group of Eight) argues that the university sector is stifled by over-regulation.  Despite assurances to the contrary, the establishment of TEQSA has added “a bureaucratic overload to every university, regardless of its history,  standing or proven proven quality.”….[READ MORE]….

Regulatory reviews – various

The Higher Education Standards Panel, which advises and makes recommendations to the Commonwealth minister responsible for tertiary education and research on the Higher Education Standards Framework, has released draft course design and learning outcome standards for comment.  The panel has drafted seven standards on course design and ten on learning outcomes…..[READ MORE]….

Industrial action on agenda at Deakin

National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) members at Deakin have voted unanimously to prepare for protected industrial action if insufficient progress was made in negotiations by the end of March.  NTEU Victorian Secretary Dr Colin Long says that there had been little movement in the position taken by Deakin University management despite five months at the negotiating table….[READ MORE]….

Research project to help VET students achieve at uni

The University of Tasmania (UTAS) has been awarded $219,000 in funding, by the Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching, to lead new research into developing maths pathways for vocational education and training (VET) students to gain the skills required to succeed in their university courses….[READ MORE]….

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Six Australian unis in world top 100

5 March 3013 | The Times Higher Education Reputation Rankings have placed six Australian universities in the world’s top 100, based on the opinions of 17,000 professors from around the world. The University of Melbourne, at 39, once again came first among the Australians, moving up four places since last year. The University of NSW and Monash entered the top 100 for the first time, joining Australian National University (equal 42nd), Sydney (49) and the University of Queensland (71-80)….[READ MORE]….

AEI to cut 4 Asia posts

4 March 2013 | The Commonwealth government is cutting its education counsellor posts in Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. The counsellors are part of the Australian Education International (AEI) network of education representatives who connect Australia’s billion-dollar education industry with overseas opportunities – smoothing regulation issues and assisting with student visa regulations….[READ MORE]….

Uni Sydney staff to strike

4 March 2013 | National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) members at the University of Sydney will strike for 24 hours Thursday 7 March over enterprise bargaining. NTEU branch president Michael Thomson accused university management of a lack of commitment to the bargaining process and foreshadowed further action if there’s no agreement by mid-March….[READ MORE]….

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Hang on…Australian R&D doesn’t punch above its weight

Merlin Crossley (University of New South Wales) tests the proposition that Australia punches above its weight in terms of global research, producing more than we might expect given our small population.

A cracking recent paper from the office of the Chief Scientist Ian Chubb demonstrates that we are behind our main research partners, Europe and America. The citation analysis is convincing and the results argue for urgent policy action.

We have appeared to “punch above our weight” primarily because the developing world – Asia, South America, India, Africa and the former Soviet Republic – currently punches below its weight.

But times are changing and Asia is moving up. Australia is faced with the choice of falling behind or taking steps to keep pace with the growing prosperity in our region.

It is clear the Chief Scientist’s office is working hard to make sure our nation makes the right choice.