Higher Education Report for the 2003 to 2005 Triennium

The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson MP
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TRAINING

ISSN: 1442-7680

ISSN: 1443-6000 (Online version)

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Introduction

Purposes of higher education

The Government’s objectives

Introduction

The Higher Education Report for the 2003 to 2005 Triennium has three main purposes. It provides:

an overview of the higher education sector in 2002, including new Government policies and initiatives and recent developments in the sector;
a review of the performance of higher education institutions in delivering student places and other Commonwealth-funded outcomes in 2002; and
information on the allocation of funding for the 2003 to 2005 triennium.

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Purposes of higher education

The Government regards higher education as contributing to the fulfilment of human and societal potential, the advancement of knowledge and social and economic progress. The main purposes of Australian higher education are to:

inspire and enable individuals to develop their capabilities to the highest potential throughout their lives (for personal growth and fulfilment, for effective participation in the workforce and for constructive contributions to society);
advance knowledge and understanding;
aid the application of knowledge and understanding to the benefit of the economy and society;
enable individuals to adapt and learn, consistent with the needs of an adaptable knowledge-based economy at local, regional and national levels; and
enable individuals to contribute to a democratic, civilised society and promote the tolerance and debate that underpins it.

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The Government’s objectives

The overarching objectives of the Government’s policies for higher education are to:

expand opportunity;
assure quality;
improve universities’ responsiveness to varying student needs and industry requirements;
advance the knowledge base and university contributions to national innovation; and
ensure public accountability for the cost-effective use of public resources.