Submission to the Review of Higher Education Financing and Policy

from:
Chair, Board of Governors,
Coffs Harbour Education Campus (CHEC)
The Board of Governors of the Coffs Harbour Education Campus welcomes the establishment of the review and believes that it is well placed to provide comment on certain aspects of the review's deliberations, particularly those relating to the interface between the higher education sector and the vocational education and schools sectors. The comments below will focus on cross-sectoral issues as contained in themes one and three of the submission. It is clear that the interface between the sectors will be of increasing importance in the development of higher education policy over the next decade.

Background

The Coffs Harbour Education Campus was established from the beginning of 1995 as a partnership between Southern Cross University, NSW TAFE and NSW Department of School Education. It was established with the agreement and support of the NSW and Commonwealth Governments. The partnership is based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by the partners to the agreement. The Southern Cross University Act, 1994, section 22, contains a provision relating to the provision of a joint education facility at Coffs Harbour. The responsibilities of the Board of Governors are covered in the MoU. For the purposes of clarity the following is an extract from the MoU:

The Joint Project will function under an operational structure through which each of the educational sectors will be separately accountable: The University component to the Council of Southern Cross University, the TAFE component to the NSW TAFE Commission, and the Senior Secondary component to the Department of School Education. By this means the integrity of the admission processes, curriculum and assessment and the academic awards from each of the three sectors will be assured by the respective bodies: the Department of School Education and the Board of Studies for School Education courses, the NSW TAFE Commission for TAFE courses, and Southern Cross University for university courses. All matters relating to awards and award courses, including accreditation, admission, advanced standing, content, assessment, and quality assurance, as well as the appointment of staff in those awards and courses, shall remain the responsibility of the Partner Institution providing the award.

(Memorandum of Understanding, March 1994, p. 1).

The provisions of the MoU in relation to the Board of Governors reflect the notion of the partnership. The membership includes:

The Board is chaired by Mr Lionel Phelps, who is also Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Southern Cross University.

The MoU also alludes to the development of flexible pathways, the need to facilitate accelerated access opportunities, credit transfer and flexible teaching. The management and administrative structure is also covered in the MoU.

Southern Cross University has established three of its fourteen schools at Coffs Harbour -- School of Business, School of Multimedia and Information Technology, and School of Human Services. It also has a substantial presence in tourism and hospitality. This has strengthened the role of Southern Cross University in this part of the region and has facilitated the establishment of links with the local community. The development of research and a significant post-graduate programme will be a feature of developments over the next few years.

This initiative has ensured complementary developments at Lismore and Coffs Harbour and has assisted Southern Cross University in establishing a very strong position in meeting the needs of the region.

Theme One

The Board has noted the multitude of arrangements developing between universities and the vocational education and schools sectors which is indicative of the fact that universities can no longer ignore the influence of the other sectors in terms of teaching, research and admissions and, indeed, their funding. Just as universities are establishing links with industry and the community, many are also in the process of defining and redefining their relationship with the other sectors. Southern Cross University, by promoting the partnership with the other sectors at Coffs Harbour and, indeed, throughout the region, has and is showing leadership in this connection. It is important and, indeed, critical however that in forging these relationships the mission of Southern Cross University remains intact. Excellence in research and teaching and overall academic excellence must not be and is not being compromised in the development of meaningful relationships with other sectors in this region. As indicated earlier, the establishment of three of the schools of the university at Coffs Harbour is a key element in promoting a significant university presence in this region and in establishing close linkages with the other sectors as appropriate.

In the consideration of cross-sectoral relationships it is also important that the vocational education and school sectors not be dominated by the higher education sector. Cooperation must be based on trust and understanding of the roles and integrity of each of the sectors. This is the case in Coffs Harbour and in the region as a whole.

It is vital in the ongoing development of the region that Southern Cross University be encouraged to develop its research capacity and its excellence in teaching, and to develop in ways that meet the needs of the region in all its facets. In saying this it is recognised that Southern Cross University is a national and international university and must remain so. Indeed, it is critical that it maintains this standing in order to fulfil its regional role effectively. Within this context, however, there is enormous scope for cooperation with the other sectors which will yield long-term benefits to students, industry and the community generally.

The Coffs Harbour Education Campus has been to the forefront in promoting these linkages which add value, build on the strengths of the partners and enhance the mission of Southern Cross University. For example, Southern Cross University is able to offer programmes and have access to facilities that it would not have had otherwise. New programmes have been developed which add to the overall offerings of the university and to the benefit of the region.

The partnership has enhanced the range of curriculum opportunities for all sectors. Articulation has been promoted on the campus and, where appropriate, joint curriculum development. Recognition of prior learning is inherent in all developments. These enhanced pathways for students will encourage higher rates of participation in education at all levels. (Participation rates in the North Coast region are below the national average.)

At this point I should mention that equity considerations are very much to the fore in promoting new curriculum initiatives, e.g., new programmes to assist Aboriginal students to move through the education system and ultimately to the University are among the highest priorities of the Board.

The harnessing of the resources of the sectors has also enabled the campus to promote an international presence with the establishment of an ELICOS centre and other international initiatives. This is in line with the mission of Southern Cross University and the actions that have been taken support Southern Cross University in this area. All of the curriculum initiatives are in line with the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Theme Three

There are numerous mechanisms which will encourage relationships between the sectors. If more effective relationships are to be encouraged, mechanisms should exist at the national, State and regional levels. The Board would not wish to indicate a favoured option for regional development but would see Coffs Harbour as providing a basis for the consideration of a number of possibilities. The Board is encouraged by the fact that Southern Cross University and the North Coast Institute of TAFE are actively examining the means by which they will, in the future, further enhance cooperation across the region.

Summary

The developments at CHEC and the participation of Southern Cross University in this development are now vital components of regional activity. Quite simply, the city and surrounding area now regard the campus as their own and something to be proud of. Residents are aware of its unique nature and are keen to promote the sectors in their endeavours. Southern Cross University must be permitted to continue its work in meeting the needs of the region. Research must be an integral part of its ongoing development in order to meet public perceptions of a "real" university and to ensure range and quality of staff. The region is proud of Southern Cross University and its achievements within a very short period of time. The Board would wish to argue most strongly that Southern Cross University should be supported in every way possible so that it might continue to develop as one of the foremost regional universities in Australia. Inherent in this is a recognition of its excellence in research, teaching and overall academic excellence and the contribution it makes to the region, State and the nation.

The Board supports Southern Cross University in its endeavours and strongly advocates ongoing government support for Southern Cross University in its ongoing participation at Coffs Harbour.

17 April 1997

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