Media Release
MINISTERIAL COUNCIL RECOGNISES ROLE OF REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES IN
REVIEW OF HIGHER EDUCATION
MIN 129/02 19 July, 2002
The unique and important role that regional universities play in
Australian higher education was supported by Commonwealth and State
Education Ministers today with the announcement of a dedicated
meeting to discuss the place of university regional education in the
Review of Higher Education.
Meeting in New Zealand today, the Ministers also agreed to
incorporate into the Review a rural/regional impact study to
consider the particular needs of rural and regional institutions.
The Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and
Youth Affairs also unanimously supported an increased emphasis of
the value of teaching in universities. While recognising the
importance of research and scholarship in higher education, the
Ministers agreed that a higher status should be accorded to
university teaching.
The role of research, scholarship and teaching in higher
education institutions was canvassed in a Commonwealth discussion
paper to inform the Review of Higher Education last month, Striving
for Quality. Further papers will be released in the coming weeks
covering a range of issues, including specialisation and regional
engagement in higher education. These discussion papers do not
represent Government policy or propose preferred options. They are
intended to elicit comments and suggestions on the future of higher
education and inform wide community debate.
To complement the discussion papers and the consultative forums
for the Review, a meeting of State and Territory Ministers and the
Commonwealth Minister will be convened in a regional centre towards
the end of the year to discuss the outcomes of the Review of Higher
Education, including the results of the rural/regional impact study.
The Ministers will also discuss issues including governance
arrangements, private sector investment in higher education,
commercialisation and management of intellectual property, and
reporting requirements on universities to both Commonwealth and
State jurisdictions.
The Ministers will also invite the Australian Vice-Chancellors’
Committee to address the meeting.
For further information:
Dr Nelson’s Office Yaron Finkelstein 0414 927 663
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