Understanding university drop-out rates

More than 50,000 students who started university in Australia this year will drop out, according to a new Grattan Institute report. However not every incomplete degree should be seen as a waste of time and money.

The problem with staffing rural schools

Attracting new teachers to country schools remains one of the biggest challenges in Australian education and encouraging student teachers to complete placements in rural schools as a way to address the chronic shortage of teachers in the bush isn’t working.

The costs of raising children continues to soar

Researchers from UNSW Sydney have found the costs of raising children in Australia have risen substantially over the past two decades due to changing community expectations of what children need to live a healthy life.

Confucius Institutes – Innocent strawberries or poisoned fruit?

Confucius Institutes are again proving controversial both in Australia and abroad. Can they be compared to western institutions such Alliance Française, the Dante Alighieri Society or the British Council or are they something more sinister?

5 ways to seed STEM skills in young children

Parents can help their young children develop the curiosity and thinking skills they’ll need to succeed in STEM subjects by cultivating the right approach early in life.

Education in the spotlight on International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day on 8 March offers an opportunity to reaffirm the pivotal role of education plays in helping the most marginalised women and girls progress out of poverty.

GAP in 2017 – a year in review

2017 has been a year of celebration for Global Access Partners. Managing Director Catherine Fritz-Kalish reviews a GAP year filled with achievement.

Australia sprints into the space race

The announcement of the first Australian space agency was greeted with enthusiasm by many who look forward to the research and economic opportunities it promises, writes Cosmos Magazine’s Andrew Masterson.

Use it or lose it – the ageing activist

Engaging in community work after retirement, leads to great benefits for both the volunteer and society. After many years working in the computer industry, Alan Stevenson decided to share his knowledge. He explains both the challenges and the rewards he has faced, teaching an ageing population.

The social impact of a national space agency

Talk about the Australian Space Agency has moved quickly onto the impact for the economy and society. Founder of STEM space program Cuberider Solange Cunin discusses how a national space agency will impact our youth and their education.

Higher education reforms are all about savings and not possibilities

Australia hasn’t seen anything remotely approaching meaningful higher education reform in nearly a decade. Dr Andy Marks, Assistant Vice-Chancellor of Western Sydney University, questions the governments one-dimensional approach to modern ‘reform’.

The equality debate: new challenge deserving a public platform, or oldest political game play in the book?

Is there anything new to learn from a public debate on marriage equality? Tenley Gillmore questions the need for a continued discussion and explains why a prejudiced opinion is not a defensible argument.