Opinions

Having a new strategy coming into 2020, based on the values of its people, would have served a university community well. We all needed a true north to navigate the turbulence of a pandemic. Having an unclear strategy, and poor engagement of staff, may have left leaders and their staff drifting and directionless by contrast.

The start of year three of a global pandemic, with a new variant and all of its ramifications, is heightening concern among our leaders, staff, students, and partners in universities.

Despite the further uncertainty arising this week from the latest Omicron variant, there is still some prospect of domestic and international students returning to Australian campuses in 2022, allowing us, to some extent, to catch up with other parts of the world.

A university of enterprise actively seeks to give voice to, and engage, all stakeholders. Its leadership team visibly and actively seeks to incorporate the views of its customers in plans for the future – and are not afraid of the word ‘customer’.

The scenario for universities in 2013 appeared uncertain. Foreshadowed budget cuts to higher education suggested the worst of times may be on the near horizon. But who could have foreseen the “challenging” and “unprecedented” times that would follow just seven years later?

The scenario for universities in 2013 appeared uncertain. Foreshadowed budget cuts to higher education suggested the worst of times may be on the near horizon. But who could have foreseen the “challenging” and “unprecedented” times that would follow just seven years later?

The scenario for universities in 2013 appeared uncertain. Foreshadowed budget cuts to higher education suggested the worst of times may be on the near horizon. But who could have foreseen the “challenging” and “unprecedented” times that would follow just seven years later?

When times are tough, one of the best coping strategies is to leave the past behind, move out of your current predicament, and focus on the horizon ahead.

There has been much to think about in universities in the last 18 months, adjusting to short-term emergencies such as campus closures, shifts online and revenue hits. There has also been cause to reconsider how universities are set for the medium term regarding what they stand for, their reputation and how they look after their people.

Now semester 1 is over. We had hoped we would be back on campuses with our students, and some were, in part. But is any university, or its staff group, any more certain of what will happen next semester than they were before this one started, in any state in Australia?