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Hockey hoses down speculation on HECS “privatisation”

With the appointment of a commission of audit to scrutinise the Commonwealth budget and make recommendations about priorities, savings and efficiencies in the offing, treasurer  Joe Hockey has  hosed down speculation that the government plans to “privatise” student debt, following claims that the right to recoup loans worth about $23 billion may be “sold off” to the private sector.  He says, through a spokesperson, the proposal is “not current Coalition policy”…..[ READ MORE ]….

La Trobe set to announce cuts

ABC Radio is reporting that La Trobe University will be announcing wideranging cuts, including staff redundancies and course closures, to rein in a ballooning budget deficit, projected to rise from $20 million to $65 million by 2015 ….[ MORE TO COME ]….

TEQSA commissioner “retired”

Education minister Christopher Pyne has not renewed the contract of lawyer Eric Mayne, one of the five commissioners who run the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, which expired on 2 October 2. The next expiry on the commission, for Dorte Kristoffersen’s contract, is not until September next year. Chief commissioner Carol Nicoll has a contract that runs to October 2016.…[ READ MORE ]….

 

Forrest donates $65m to WA universities

Mining billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has made one of the biggest single philanthropic donations in Australian history, and called on other tycoons to share their wealth.  Forrest will contribute $65 million to higher education in Western Australia.  He says he wants the money to attract some of the best minds in the world to West Australian universities.…[ READ MORE]….

Go8 joins international research grouping

Four of the world’s leading research university associations have made a joint statement on the characteristics of contemporary research universities. The four associations – the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Consortium of China 9 Research Universities (C9), the Group of Eight Australia (Go8), and the League of European Research Universities (LERU)  have committed to work together to advance the 10 characteristics described in the joint statement and also explore prospects for additional collaborations……[ READ MORE]…

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ATN In Profile September 2013

Action, not Titles, will be crucial in new Abbott Ministry – ATN Universities Enjoy Further Success in World Rankings – ATN Forms Historic Asian Partnership – Business on the Agenda for Coalition Government and Universities – Recap of Coalition’s Colombo plan – ATN Achievements

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Comment & analysis

Why a minimum Atar would improve efficiency & equity

In this excerpt from a presentation just before the election,  Mike Gallagher (executive director , Group of Eight universities), makes the case for a “re-calibration” of the demand driven system, by the imposition of a minimum ATAR for university entry.   He argues that the G08’s proposal for a minimum ATAR of 60 (now apparently in public abeyance) was never an argument for  reintroducing caps but would actually improve both equity and efficiency in the higher education system by directing  academically underprepared students into pathways programs which would ultimately increase the chances of such students successfully completing bachelor degree programs.  Such students admitted directly into degree programs are in many cases being set up for failure.  He also notes that ATAR is of decreasing relevance anyway, applying only to applicants within 2 years of completing Year 12 (in 2012, only 34% of university places were offered solely on the basis of ATAR).  The full presentation is wide ranging, going as it does to the whole structure of higher education in Australia, which Gallagher describes as “unbalanced”.   He argues, for example,  that the dynamic of changes in higher education, such as the impact of technologies,  international competition and the emergence of multiple forms of higher education, involving non-university and non-public providers, renders many of the underpinning assumptions of higher education obsolete.  Policy needs to adapt to provide greater real choice and diversity in higher education offerings and facilitate the emergence of new institutional types and modes of delivery.

Admitting under-prepared students with low ATARs not only increases their risk of non-completion, it restricts their choices. Lower ATAR students admitted directly to bachelor degrees are being selected on the basis of their current preparation, rather than their potential for university study, while graduates of pathway programs have a chance to prepare for a wider range of disciplines, and demonstrate their aptitude for tertiary study.

-    Catherine Burnheim & Sue Wills

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Life & stuff

Come sail your ships around me

The Sydney Opera House turns 40

The Sydney Opera House plays a central role in Australia’s life and identity.  It’s the world’s busiest performing arts centre, with seven performance venues open 363 days a year, offering audiences the opportunity to experience the best the world has to offer in every performing arts genre.

According to a survey by Deloitte, the Opera House is considered internationally as a more “relevant and esteemed” brand than “Brand Australia” itself. 

Since opening in 1973 more than 65 million people have seen shows, nine million people have taken a tour and millions more have visited the precinct or engaged online.

At twilight on Sunday 27 October, the iconic venue will celebrate its 40th anniversary, putting together an incredible lineup of Aussie talent to mark the occasion.

 

For a virtual tour of the Opera highlighting its spaces and showcasing the genres it hosts see

The Ship Song Project

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DESIGNING MODERN LEARNING STRATEGIES FOR THE MODERN WORKPLACE
11-13 November 2013 | Australian Technology Park, Sydney

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