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Media Release
THE FUTURE DIVERSITY OF AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES
2 March 2005 MIN 1054/05
An issues paper focused on building diversity in the higher education system has been released today to inform a broader national debate on the future of Australia’s universities.
The paper canvasses a range of issues including recommendations arising from last year’s Review of Australia’s National Protocols for Higher Education Approval Processes, conducted for the Commonwealth by Emeritus Professor Gus Guthrie.
Developments in Australia and overseas pose significant challenges to the single model of an Australian university prescribed in the National Protocols.
It is important that we consider whether Australia can continue to expect a one-size-fits-all model of higher education to compete with the world’s best, cater to regional communities and offer excellence in teaching and research.
The paper also discusses issues that were raised during the course of the 2002 Review of Higher Education.
It seeks discussion and consideration of a number of issues, including, but not limited to:
- whether there is a need for the National Protocols to accommodate a broader range of institutions;
- whether the Protocols should allow for the development of specialised institutions;
- whether further criteria are required in the Protocols to better assure the quality of the higher education system;
- whether the Protocols should specifically provide for teaching or research intensive institutions and whether this would lead to greater diversity; and
- what criteria should be set in terms of institutions’ breadth and depth of teaching, scholarship and research.
A copy of the discussion paper can be found at http://www.dest.gov.au/highered/pubs/building_diversity/default.htm. I will be convening a national seminar in May 2005 to consider the issues raised in the paper and the variety of responses to it. Any changes to the Protocols will need to be formally agreed to by the Australian Government and all State and Territory Governments.
The Australian Government is committed to ensuring our universities reflect international best practice in underpinning a high quality, diverse and competitive Australian higher education sector.
Media Contacts:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Yaron Finkelstein 0414 927 663
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Virginia Cook 0412 971 323
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