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Balance of support of universities needed
22 December 2007
Professor John Hay leaves University of Queensland this month after a highly successful period as Vice-Chancellor, a period when hundreds of millions of dollars have been attracted to that University. The money has come in huge sums from a generous overseas philanthropist, Chuck Feeney, and the State Government, to name but two of the major sources.
The research centres that have evolved over the last 50 years have been able to move to a new, higher level of operation. Their successes in spinning out commercial companies and in generating research incomes have been impressive. The visibility of University of Queensland internationally has increased and correspondingly ‘Smart Brisbane’s’ standing has been enhanced.
Justified glowing tributes have flowed and Professor Hay has been named a Queensland Great.
This week, I looked with some envy at the figure of $US35 billion possessed by America’s Harvard, which not only dwarfs University of Queensland, but is also more then the G.D.P. of half the countries around the world. Donations to rich and powerful Harvard since the 1980s have seen its endowments grow from $US1 billion to the $US35 billion today.
But the same article pointed to the reliance that the poor cousin American universities have on parsimonious governments, and have access to far few private benefactors.
Whilst USC is growing faster then most of its counterparts and has a stellar future, it is much more difficult for us to diversify our sources of income. We have wonderful, generous friends in the community, but we need more help from private and public sources to ensure that our future is secured.
Hopefully Smart State III next year will shift the focus away from metropolitan Brisbane to the rest of the State, where some of the ‘battlers’ are growing world-class initiatives and deserve support. Hopefully more private benefactors will also come forward and leave an indelible personal mark on their growing university, which will be honoured for years to come.
Australia needs a strongly supported university system in both its metropolitan and regional centres.
Professor Paul Thomas AM is Vice-Chancellor at the University of the Sunshine Coast.