Opinions

The interim report of the Australian Universities Accord is in the hands of the Minster, and we await its unveiling. I wonder what we will say when we see it? There is an argument that the emergence of technology, particularly generative AI, offers the same range of prospects.

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 SkillsFuture initiative in Singapore is a globally leading example of industry, government and higher and further education institutions working together to plan for and deliver the lifelong learning strategy of a nation.

Many Australian Universities appear to be in short-term financial crisis right now. The perfect storm of soft domestic demand, slowly returning international students, impacted investment income, and rising costs are all combining to make financial pictures the most challenging for some time.

Japan and parts of Europe including Italy, Germany and Spain, have been the first societies to experience what has become a global phenomenon, now even more pronounced in South Korea and Thailand, of rapidly declining birth rates.

What would happen if universities built upon the success of DORA and went further? What if, together, they opted out of participating in university rankings?

This op-ed summarises a HEDx submission to the Universities Accord. It advocates a manifesto to change higher education for good.

This op-ed summarises a HEDx submission to the Universities Accord. It advocates a manifesto to change higher education for good.

Education remains the surest path to opportunity, but failures to equitably expand access, increase attainment, and deliver a strong return on investment for learners call into question its promise as an equaliser and engine of social and economic mobility.

A major review of our higher education sector, on a scale not seen since Dawkins or Bradley, is a time for ideas. Our times call for these ideas to be big, bold, and radical, because so much depends on it.