|
|
Media Release
Australian Universities Must Develop Culture of Philanthropy
13 September 2006
The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP announced today a new $200,000 study to investigate strategies to assist the development of a culture of philanthropy towards universities.
The study will be undertaken by the Business, Industry and Higher Education Collaboration Council (BIHECC), an advisory body which seeks to increase collaboration between the higher education sector, the business sector and the wider community.
Minister Bishop said, “The council is working on a number of initiatives to ensure high quality educational standards in the university sector and better links with business and industry.”
“In particular, I have asked BIHECC to investigate how to develop a stronger culture of philanthropy towards Australian universities.
“In countries such as the United States, philanthropy provides a substantial additional revenue stream for universities that further supports institutions in pursuit of excellence. This initiative will look at best practice overseas and develop strategies suitable for Australian conditions.”
Minister Bishop said donations and bequests represent a very small proportion of Australian higher education revenue ($171 million or 1.27% of total revenue in 2004).
“There is growing interest in the higher education sector in working with government and business to foster philanthropy. I would like to see Australian graduates maintain lifelong mutually-beneficial relationships with their university.”
The BIHECC, established in 2004, is focussing on developing strategies to encourage greater business/industry involvement in the higher education sector, facilitating partnerships between universities and improving the responses of higher education to skills shortages.
Mr David Murray, Chair of the Future Fund and former Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Bank has been appointed as Chair for a second term.
Attachments of the BIHECC Council's Membership and the study's Terms of Reference are below.
Media Contacts:
Minister Bishop’s Office: Murray Hansen 0417 886 155
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Media Unit (02) 6240 7300
Non-media queries 1300 363 079
Attachment A: Business, Industry and Higher Education Collaboration Council (BIHECC) Membership
|
|
|
Mr David Murray (Chair), Chair, Future Fund. |
|
Ms Lisa Paul, Secretary, Department of Education, Science and Training. |
|
Mr Peter Hendy, CEO, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. |
|
Ms Heather Ridout, CEO, Australian Industry Group. |
|
Mr Doug Jukes, National Chairman, KPMG. |
|
Ms Catherine Livingstone, Chair, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. |
|
Professor Ashley Goldsworthy, CEO, Business-Higher Education Round Table. |
|
Mr Peter Cockbain, National President, Engineers Australia. |
|
Professor Margaret Gardner, Vice Chancellor, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. |
|
Professor Jeanette Hacket, Vice Chancellor, Curtin University of Technology. |
|
Professor Fred Hilmer, Vice-Chancellor, University of New South Wales |
|
Ms Stella Axarlis, Member of the National Youth Careers and Transition Advisory Group, former Deputy chair, ANTA Board. |
Attachment B: TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR PHILANTHROPY IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR
Purpose
BIHECC requires the provision of services to conduct research and analysis into philanthropic giving in the higher education sector.
Background
Australia compares poorly to leading countries such as the USA and Canada in terms of philanthropic revenue for higher education institutions. A number of reviews of funding for Australian higher education institutions have suggested that universities should look to increasing their philanthropic effort to provide an additional revenue stream but that the development of a culture of philanthropy to universities requires facilitation.
Objectives
To develop a culture of philanthropic giving to universities and to establish a set of national best practice guidelines.
Scope
This research and analysis should take into account findings from current educational philanthropy activity nationally and internationally and will involve:
- identifying how universities currently engage with potential donors, including alumni;
- consulting with key stakeholders including universities, business, state government, university development professional offices and peak philanthropic bodies to review and identify best practice nationally and internationally;
- developing a set of national best practice guidelines;
- identifying practical, cost effective options that will assist universities to become more strategic in their fundraising;
- identifying ways of building a culture of philanthropy;
- identifying possible areas of legal reform to facilitate establishment and management of university endowments;
- examining the role of a higher education philanthropy foundation in increasing philanthropy universities and identifying possible models;
- identifying the impact of recommended approaches on the higher education sector; and
- providing a cost/benefit analysis of the options identified.
Reporting requirements
The consultant will report to the Business Industry Higher Education Collaboration Council in the form of a written interim and final report, outlining ways of developing a culture of philanthropic giving to universities, the role of a foundation and outlining a set of national best practice guidelines.
|
