The University of Queensland has supported the release of the university sector’s first comprehensive higher education policy agenda, A Smarter Australia, as a pivotal step in ensuring that the central role of universities in Australia’s future is recognised.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj has commended the statement to all political parties as they go about developing their respective policy positions on higher education in the lead up to the election.
“The Australian university system is one of the best in the world,” Professor Høj said.
“This initiative by Universities Australia will ensure the higher education sector continues to provide economic and social benefits for all Australians in the future.”
The policy statement, developed over the past 12 months, responds to four trends driving change in Australian higher education: the emergence of digital technologies; increasing globalisation and growing international competition in the Asian century; the need for economic and industrial renewal and diversification; and the need to arrest declining national productivity.
Over the past two decades, investment in higher education and research has not kept pace with the rest of the developed world.
“While there has been an increase in the level of investment made in recent years, this has not been sufficient to lift Australia from the bottom 20 per cent of OECD nations for the level of public investment made in universities," Professor Høj said.
“If the nation is to realise the full potential of our higher education system, we need greater investment in the university sector.”
A Smarter Australia calls for a partnership between the university sector and government to establish a practical and pragmatic policy framework around four key themes:
• Increasing Australians’ university participation in a sector resourced to produce top quality graduates
• Developing Australia’s globally engaged university sector
• A powerful research and innovation system that drives economic and social progress
• Increasing investment, improving efficiency and reducing red tape
Universities Australia will mount a public campaign to promote a better understanding of role and contribution of universities to the economic and social wellbeing of all Australians.
“The University of Queensland with its 200 000 alumni has a strong history of delivering graduates and research outcomes that offer outstanding economic, social and environmental benefits to Australia.
“A Smarter Australia will ensure this continues into the future,” Professor Høj said.
A Smarter Australia and a short 5 point election manifesto, Advice for an incoming government, will be available on the Universities Australia website at www.universitiesaustralia.edu.au from 1.30pm today (Wednesday, 27 February).
Media: Anna Bednarek, UQ Communications, 07 3346 7691 or a.bednarek@uq.edu.au
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