Assessing university reform

Education Minister Jason Clare says “If you don’t think there are challenges in university governance, you’ve been living under a rock” but how workable are the reforms proposed to fix the problem?

Reimagining Australia’s universities

Former Labor leader and current University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Bill Shorten has called for a “fundamental re-imagining” of Australia’s universities as a “core instrument of our national power”.

Chinese whispers

The increasing reliance of Australian universities on Chinese students and funding means their leadership and governance structures risk becoming socialised into Chinese Communist Party policy norms and values.

Where have all the students gone?

After decades of growth, an increase in fees, the influx of foreign students and the growing threat of AI to knowledge jobs have seen a fall in domestic students enrolling in university courses.

Universities have lost their way

If there is any way out of the present University crisis, it it unlikely to come from current university leaders, who have shown little capacity to manage complex change.

Student insights inform UNSW review

The inaugural Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching Symposium, held at UNSW, explored data-driven approaches to enhancing the student experience and learning across Australia.

Fixing our universities

Australia’s universities need a major overhaul to become institutions that both attract, educate and enable students and academics and drive the intellectual endeavour of our nation.

Boardroom blitz

A new report has revealed the extent to which Australian universities’ governing bodies have become stacked with unelected big business appointees.

Universities face a cash crunch

Government plans to reduce the number of overseas students are forcing the Australian universities which have come to depend on their fees to contemplate opening more branches abroad.

Varsity blues

Universities should be drivers of educated debate, so if civil society is increasingly fractious, divided and dumbed down, have they been doing their job?

University blues

Australia’s universities have enjoyed explosive growth over the last thirty years, but critics argue this influx of international and domestic students have inflated revenues at the cost of academic standards and integrity.

Making the most of university knowledge

Given recent scandals with the big four consulting firms, the government should look to tap the knowledge and expertise in our university system and revitalise the public service.