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A year of new funding hopes
3 January 2009
The New Year will soon start at the University with hopes that the Bradley Review of Higher Education that was released in December will result in the formulation of a Federal Budget that will result in billions of dollars being invested in higher education.
In these columns I have frequently complained of sectoral underfunding generally, and of USC in particular. Those views have been vindicated by Bradley who now claims that $6.5 billion injected into the system will only arrest a decade of neglect, and simply maintain Australia’s international positioning. To advance our standing relative to our major competitors will require further investment. It is a sobering view.
Undoubtedly the Report’s outcomes will, if the Government backs the major funding recommendations, benefit the whole sector. There could be increases in support for teaching, research, attracting disadvantaged groups, and being ‘regional’.
The Bradley Report is probably at its strongest when it elaborates the need for ‘social inclusion’, meaning higher rates of participation for able but financially disadvantaged students, of whom we have many in this Sunshine Coast Region.
With the proposed changes to Austudy and the Youth Allowance, higher education will likely become a more attractive proposition for many students who currently are wary of short-term debt. The costs are probably a psychological barrier even though across a lifetime, graduate earnings exceed school leaver earnings by $1.5 million.
Major universities will perhaps benefit most because of their scale and the possible doubling of funding for research.
Whilst there is also a proposed $80 million fund for Regional Universities, the definition of ‘regional’ has still to be clarified. Also, it is uncertain whether universities like USC will be able to gain access to the capital funds it needs to meet increased student demand, consistent with the ‘social inclusion’ agenda.
The University Council has probably been the first such Council to meet in Australia, to discuss its reactions to Bradley.
As a result of its pre-Christmas meeting it has written to Minister Gillard to express its support for further funding, to raise some issues that remain unresolved, and to urge the Minister to respect the uniqueness of USC as the newest national public university with a deep concern to advance the Region’s interests, as one of the highest growth areas in the country.
The Federal Government has promised to consider its reaction and the extent of its financial support in February, in the context of Budget discussions.
It will be another year of interest, expectation and growth for USC, whatever the final Federal determinations.
Professor Paul Thomas AM is Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of the Sunshine Coast.