11 May 2012

The Group of Eight (Go8) universities have welcomed the Coalition’s announcement that it aims to revive the teaching of Languages Other Than English (LOTE) in Australian schools.

Group of Eight executive director, Michael Gallagher, said graduating from school and university with an ability to speak another language is becoming imperative. Graduates with an international outlook and global connections and appreciation of cultural diversity are also important for Australia’s economy.

“Go8 universities already demonstrate a strong commitment to LOTE. All 35 of the languages available at university level in Australia are taught in Go8 member universities.

“Go8 universities do the heavy lifting when it comes to languages education at university level, but have long advocated the need for the expansion of incentives to encourage the completion of language studies in school.

“However, despite many positive efforts from committed teachers and language experts, the percentage of Year 12 students graduating with a second language has fallen from 40 per cent in the 1960s to as low as 6 per cent in some states in Australia today.

“On this score we are at the very bottom of the OECD rankings. The Go8 believes we must do better if Australia is to remain economically and educationally competitive with other developed countries around the world.

“The Go8 therefore welcomes the Coalition’s commitment to ensure that at least 40 per cent of Year 12 students are taking a Language Other Than English within a decade.

“The Go8 looks forward to seeing the funding detail behind this policy and would welcome the opportunity to help identify the range of educational and policy issues involved with ensuring its successful implementation,” Mr Gallagher concluded.

The Go8 universities offer a range of incentives to students to study languages at school and to continue on to university level. These incentives are outlined in the Go8’s LOTE incentives scheme document available at:

http://www.go8.edu.au/university-staff/agreements/go8-lote-incentive-schemes

9 May 2012

The Group of Eight commends the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Chris Evans, for his efforts to prevent Budget cuts in higher education and research.  However two key problems remain – inadequate funding per student and a deep hole in funding for research infrastructure.

“In a Budget environment where other portfolios had to make savings, the Minister has maintained funding commitments to Australia’s universities” said Mike Gallagher, Executive Director of the Group of Eight.

“We commend the Minister’s success in protecting higher education from arbitrary cuts.

“The Budget confirmed funding for the demand-driven system, indexation and research block grants.  There is some new funding to support low SES and under-prepared students.

“Universities need extra resources to support less prepared students to complete their degrees.The extra funding is a small first step in the right direction.

“Despite the protection of funding in this year’s Budget, universities will face some serious financial challenges in the next few years.

“Funding per student is too low and remains under threat due to growing student numbers.  

“The Government has not responded to the Base Funding Review that it commissioned.

“Funding for major research infrastructure under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) has terminated and has not been replaced.  Meeting both of these challenges will be impossible without changes to financing policy.

Media contact:
Kerrie Thornton: Ph: 02 6239 5488

13 March 2012

A delegation of Australian academic leaders is travelling to South America this week to strengthen links with a region that is fast becoming an important education partner for Australia.

The Group of Eight (Go8) delegation will visit Chile and Brazil for meetings with university leaders and education officials in Santiago, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte and Sao Paulo.

Dr Michael Spence, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney and leader of the delegation, said: “Australia’s links with South America have flourished in the last decade and we are keen to explore new areas of cooperation and engagement.

“We are interested in building long-term relationships, and it is important for us to focus on partnerships that bring mutual benefits and broaden our research base.”

Many Go8 universities already have existing links with the region’s top research-intensive universities such as the University of Sao Paulo, the University of Chile and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

From 2004 to 2009 the number of agreements between Australian and South American universities almost trebled, from 80 to 230. During the same period the number of South American students across all sectors in Australia grew from 7000 to more than 30000.

In Chile the delegates will meet representatives from CONICYT, the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research, and members of the Chilean university rectors’ group, CRUCH.

In Brazil the primary focus of the visit is a meeting with the Ministry of Education to follow up on the Science without Borders program recently announced by President Dilma Roussef. This will invest $2 billion in scholarships to send 100000 Brazilian students to the world’s best universities. The program aims to increase Brazil’s capacity in the knowledge economy, scientific production and technological innovation.

Michael Gallagher, executive director of the Go8, said: “There is considerable interest across South America in partnering with Australian universities in double degrees, student exchange and research collaborations.

“Our leading universities have an excellent reputation in the region, but there is still much work to be done in the area of qualifications recognition which can be very complex in South America.”

Delegation members:

Dr Michael Spence, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, The University of Sydney

Mr Michael Gallagher, Executive Director, The Group of Eight

Professor Bruce Robinson, Dean of Medicine, The University of Sydney

Ms Sandra Meiras, Director, International Services, The University of Sydney

Dr Eugene Sebastian, Director, Strategy and Planning, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Global Engagement), Monash University

Professor Zlatko Skrbis, Dean of Graduate Studies, The University of Queensland

Ms Suzanne Hancock, Manager, International Scholarships, The University of Queensland

Mr Maximiliano Jarpa, University representative in Chile, The University of Adelaide

Professor David Beckett, Associate Dean, School of Graduate Research, The University of Melbourne

Professor John Hearn, DVC International, The University of Sydney (Brazil only)

Professor Rod Chaplin, Associate Dean International, The University of New South Wales (Chile only)

Ms Carla Gonzalez Zlatar, Business Development and Project Coordination, The University of Queensland (Chile only)

Schedule:

15 – 17 March, Santiago, Chile

19 March, Brasilia, Brazil

20 March, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

21 March, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Media contacts:

Australia: Kerrie Thornton: Kerrie.thornton@go8.edu.au

Chile: Sofia Pereira: sofia.pereira@austrade.gov.au

Brazil: Patricia Monteiro: patricia.monteiro@austrade.gov.au

20 December 2011

Following the retirement of Professor Paul Greenfield as Vice-Chancellor of The University of Queensland and Go8 Chair, the Group of Eight is pleased to announce that Professor Fred Hilmer AO will chair the Group of Eight in 2012 and 2013.

Professor Hilmer was appointed President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of New South Wales in June 2006. Prior to this position, he was CEO of John Fairfax Holdings Limited from 1998 - 2005.

Before joining Fairfax he was Dean and Director of the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) in the University of New South Wales and a director of McKinsey & Company.

He holds a degree in law from the University of Sydney, an LLM from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Wharton School of Finance.

Professor Ed Byrne AO, Vice-Chancellor of Monash University, will be Deputy Chair with special responsibilities for relations with Universities Australia.

The Go8 Vice-Chancellors and secretariat thank Professor Greenfield for his outstanding leadership in 2011 and wish him well for his retirement.

16 December 2011

The Group of Eight welcomes the Government’s announcement of partnership funding for universities under the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP).  

This round of funding, worth $67 million in total over three years, will help universities to work more effectively with schools, TAFEs and community organisations to increase awareness of and aspiration to tertiary study among people who might otherwise not have considered university was a realistic option.

“Close and effective partnerships with schools and communities are essential to make university more accessible to people from groups that are under-represented in higher education”, said Professor Sue Willis, Chair of the Group of Eight’s Social Inclusion Strategy Group (SISG).  

“Universities are getting out into low SES and regional communities to explain the opportunities and benefits that higher education offers.  We are engaging with young students at the time when they’re making decisions about their future – in junior secondary and even primary school.  The new partnership funding will enable universities to extend and deepen their outreach activities.”

HEPPP supports the Government’s objective to increase the proportion of low SES students at Australia’s universities to 20 per cent by 2020.  Low SES students have been around 15 per cent of students for 20 years.

“The Group of Eight supports the Government’s equity goals, and we welcome the Government’s support for our contribution’, Professor Willis said.  

“We are pleased that the Government has decided to fund several programs proposed by Group of Eight universities, including programs which Go8 universities have entered into in partnership with other institutions.”


FOR COMMENT:
Professor Sue Willis, Chair, Go8 Social Inclusion Strategy Group     Ph: 03 9903 4096

12 December 2011

The Group of Eight (Go8) welcomes the formation of a single Department for Industry, Science, Research and Tertiary Education under two Cabinet Ministers.

Go8 executive director, Michael Gallagher, said “we had feared that university research would be put back into the Education and Employment portfolio where it would have struggled to gain the attention it deserves.”

“We are pleased that innovation will now be viewed more comprehensively, embracing the development of graduates as well as research.

“We are pleased to see responsibility for research training re-integrated with higher education.

“The Go8 looks forward to working constructively with Ministers Evans and Combet.”

FOR INFORMATION:   Kerrie Thornton, Director, Communications and International, Group of Eight.   Ph: 02 6239 5488

12 December 2011

The Group of Eight (Go8) has commended Senator Kim Carr’s achievements as the Minister responsible for Research.

Today’s Cabinet reshuffle sees Senator Carr taking on the position of Minister for Manufacturing; and Minister for Defence Materiel.

Go8 executive director, Michael Gallagher, said since 2007, as Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Research, Senator Carr achieved a government commitment to doubling indirect funding for research, and applying an improved indexation formula to research grants. He presided over the single largest injection of research infrastructure investment in Australia’s history.

“He championed the independence of the Australian Research Council (ARC) and he initiated the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) evaluations of research quality against international benchmarks.

“Senator Carr is respected in the higher education sector because he understands the global context, rises above parochialism, and champions the need for Australian universities to keep pace with the world’s best.

“It would be unfortunate to see his efforts diluted,” Mr Gallagher said.

FOR INFORMATION: Kerrie Thornton, Director, Communications and International, Group of Eight.  Ph: 02 6239 5488

9 December 2011

The Group of Eight (Go8) secretariat is saddened by the news that Professor Paul Greenfield is stepping down as Vice-Chancellor of The University of Queensland and Go8 Chair.

He has been a skilful and trusted leader of the Go8.

The University of Queensland has reached new heights through his direction and drive.

Those of us who have known him over many years have nothing but admiration for his intellectual power, integrity and grace.

7 December 2011

The Group of Eight (Go8) today released a detailed report on academic staffing trends in Australian universities in the past decade.

The report contradicts work carried out by Professor Frank Larkins of the LH Martin Institute which has been widely reported in the Australian and international media. Professor Larkins claimed that student staff ratios have blown out to 34:1. He also asserted that universities have been pursuing their own research interests above all else and students are being short-changed as a consequence.

Go8 executive director, Michael Gallagher, said today’s report shows the average student staff ratio in Australian universities is actually 21:1. While this is considerably higher than 10 years ago and certainly a concern, it is nowhere near as bad as Professor Larkins suggests.

“The data also show there has been no widespread or systematic reclassification of ongoing academic staff positions as claimed by Professor Larkins,” said Mr Gallagher.

“Universities have certainly increased casual teaching only staff to deal efficiently with increased student numbers. In the past decade the number of students in coursework programs at university increased by 56% to 528,558. Universities have also increased research only staff as funding for research has risen.

“Today’s report also highlights some differences between Go8 and non Go8 universities. While the student staff ratio for Go8 universities is 16.8:1, in non Go8 universities it is much higher at 24.4:1.

“It is a concern in the sector that these ratios have deteriorated since 2000, for both Go8 universities (by 2.7) and other universities (by 5.3).

“However increases in student staff ratios need to be understood in the context of innovations in teaching delivery and student support. Australia’s universities are achieving productivity improvements through greater efficiencies in student throughput costs without diminution of graduate output quality on the available measures (e.g. student satisfaction, graduate destinations).

“Given the importance of student staff ratios for domestic and international students when selecting a university destination, it is important the public debate is informed by accurate data and analysis,” Mr Gallagher concluded.

FOR INFORMATION:

Kerrie Thornton, Director, Communications and International, Group of Eight.   Ph: 02 6239 5488

22 September 2011

The Group of Eight congratulates the Australian Government for committing to fully adopt and speedily implement the recommendations of the newly-released Knight Review of the student visa program.

‘The Go8 welcomes the government’s positive response to review, and commends Michael Knight and the review team for identifying that quality is the key to a sustainable international education effort,’ said Go8 Chair, Professor Paul Greenfield. 

The review, released today by the Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, Senator Chris Evans, and the Minister for Immigration, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, says all international students at universities should face requirements similar to Assessment Level 1, regardless of their country of origin.

“The Go8 looks forward to working with the government to develop the necessary accountability measures for the new system, and contributing to a review of the student visa risk management framework, which will report by next year,” Professor Greenfield said.

“The review has recognised that Australia’s universities are high quality, low risk providers, and changes to the risk framework send a clear message that Australian education providers are responsible for ensuring that they uphold quality.

“Risk assessment that recognises high quality providers will be a sound basis for the sector’s future development.’

Reformed student visa procedures, including less onerous financial requirements, will enable Australian universities to compete more effectively in the global market.

New work visas for international graduates will further increase Australia’s attractiveness as a study destination.

‘Streamlined visa arrangements and new post-study work visas are great for Australia as well as for Australian universities,’ Professor Greenfield said.

‘In addition to bolstering an important export industry, these changes will improve the supply of high quality skills to the Australian labour market.

‘‘These reforms will send a positive signal about Australia’s place in the world. The young people who spend time studying and working here will be lifelong friends to the Australian people, and some will become influential leaders and advocates for Australia.”

FOR COMMENT:  Fiona Kennedy (for Professor Paul Greenfield) Ph: 07 3365 138

FOR INFORMATION:  Mike Teece 02 6239 5488

12 August 2011

The Group of Eight (Go8) today opened applications for its 2012 European Fellowships.

The Fellowships are open to early career researchers from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Croatia.

For the first time this year the fellowships will also be open to applicants from Russia.

Each fellow will receive benefits worth up to $20,000 to travel to Australia in 2012 and work at a Go8 university for up to six months.

“The Go8 European Fellowships recognise the importance of international contacts for early career researchers and aim to help establish  Australian links for talented young researchers from emerging European economies,” said Go8 Chair, Professor Paul Greenfield.

“The scheme has been running for five years. The alumni of this important Go8 scheme establish life-long professional and personal connections and continue to collaborate with Australian researchers  when they return to their home institutions,” Professor Greenfield concluded.

“This fellowship was a life changing experience for me. I am sure that the knowledge accumulated here will have a great impact not only in my academic career but also in the education of Romanian students at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy where I teach.”  Dr Magda Cuciureanu, Go8 European Fellow 2010 (The University of Adelaide)

“All the professional contacts I made at The University of Queensland are invaluable and I have offered to host UQ academics at my home university.” Dr Martina Horakova, Go8 European Fellow, 2008

“The Fellowship gave me a great opportunity to further develop the ongoing co-operation with The University of Sydney, as well as to upgrade my research skills.” Dr Iva Strnadova, Go8 European Fellow, 2008

“I was involved in a great scientific project. I never would have this opportunity in Poland (or even in Europe).” DrKlaudia Borowiak, Go8 European Fellow 2009 (The University of Melbourne)

“ANU provided me with superb research opportunities. I still have an ongoing project with a PhD candidate at ANU.” Dr Zoltan Petres, Go8 European Fellow, 2008

“The experience actually exceeded my expectations. I did more than I could dream, all thanks to the very open and very friendly approach of Australian researchers.” Dr Katarzyna Zawalinska, Go8 European Fellow, 2009 (Monash University)

Applications close on 21 October 2011.

Detailed information for applicants is available at http://www.go8.edu.au/university-staff/programs-_and_-fellowships-1

FOR INFORMATION

Kerrie Thornton, Director, Communications & International

Tel: (02) 6239 5488, 0407 947 087

2 June 2011

Whenever there is a chance to cut red tape it should be taken. Regulations should only be imposed when there is a demonstrable need for them.

The Howard Government’s higher education reforms of 2003 saw the introduction of a unique student identifier (CHESSN) for tracking student mobility, progression, attrition and completion.

Preliminary data based on the student identifier indicate that the seven year limit of the student learning entitlement (SLE) is exceeded in practice by very few students. Australia does not have a systemic problem of excessively long study periods that is found in some other countries.

As the Gillard Government moves to remove limits on student access to higher education it is sensible to reduce the regulatory burden associated with the former capped system.   The SLE is a very complex mechanism. Its removal would reduce administrative costs.

The availability of the student identifier gives the Government a means of monitoring patterns of study duration. Should the data indicate a problem emerging then the Government could introduce controls. Public release of the CHESSN data would help inform the debate.

Concerns about the costs of an open-ended higher education system are understandable but at this stage the SLE looks like a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.

FOR INFORMATION:
Kerrie Thornton, Director, Communications and International, Group of Eight Ph: 02 6239 5488

25 May 2011

Leaders from the business community and university Vice-Chancellors came together in Sydney today for the launch of an innovative new tool designed to improve university/business interaction.

“World-class research and innovative activities occur every day in Australia's universities, but it can be difficult for individuals and industry to identify and access specific expertise,” said Go8 Chair, Professor Paul Greenfield.

“The Go8 has developed a new search engine to raise the visibility of what universities can offer the business and wider community in addressing problems requiring advanced know-how.

“The Go8’s Knowledge Gateway is a searchable database linking directly to researcher expertise.

“Not only will it assist industry and government in quickly locating experts in a particular field, but it will also help potential research students find a PhD supervisor.

“We need to lift our game as universities by making our knowledge outputs and the expertise of our researchers more accessible.”

The Go8 has worked closely with Funnelback Website and Enterprise Search to develop the Gateway. Funnelback is an Australian company which grew out of Australian research based at the ANU and CSIRO and now has 25 staff and offices in Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, London and Wellington

While developing the tool, the Go8 has also received advice from Enterprise Connect, the Australian Government initiative which provides support to small business with acquiring knowledge, tools and expertise to improve productivity.

“The Go8 is to be congratulated for its leadership in this area. I feel confident this initiative will enhance communication and collaboration between universities and industry,” said Business Council of Australia Policy Director, Patrick Coleman.

The Gateway uses key words so users don’t need to be familiar with academic terms and it identifies individuals and institutions with strength in particular research disciplines.

The Go8 is currently in discussions with other universities and research institutes about broadening the scope of the Gateway beyond the 70 per cent of Australian research conducted by Go8 universities.

Australia’s Knowledge Gateway is freely available at: gateway.go8.edu.au

FOR INFORMATION: Kerrie Thornton, Go8 Director, Communications and International,

Ph: 0407 947 087

11 May 2011

The Group of Eight (Go8) has welcomed a new Senate committee report recommending changes to the legislation establishing the tertiary education regulator (TEQSA).

“The committee is to be congratulated for listening to the concerns raised by the Group of Eight and Universities Australia on self-accreditation,” said Go8 Chair, Paul Greenfield.

“For over 150 years Australian universities have had the right to determine the courses they offer and the degrees they confer. The Senate committee has agreed that the TEQSA legislation must be explicit about protecting this right.

“The Go8’s concerns that the legislation concentrates strong open-ended standards setting powers in the hands of the Minister of the day have also been addressed by the committee.

“The Go8 continues to support consistent national regulation of higher education which will guarantee public confidence in the quality and bona fides of providers and uphold the integrity of degrees.

“While the Government may not intend imposing disproportionate regulation on universities, or to intrude unduly in their academic affairs, the current bill presents a risk that these unintended and undesired consequences could arise, possibly in the longer term, under a future Government.

“Having had the sense and foresight to put this legislation to a Senate committee, it is to be hoped that Minister Evans and the Parliament will now heed its recommendations,” Professor Greenfield concluded.

FOR COMMENT: Professor Paul Greenfield, Ph: 07 3365 1300

1 April 2011

The Group of Eight (Go8) today announced a new call for applications under its joint research exchange scheme with Germany.

In 2007 the Go8 formed a partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to create the Go8 - Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme.

Since then the scheme has provided around AUD4 million to support research exchange between Australia and Germany. The scheme has a particular focus on opportunities for early career researchers.

“The DAAD is one of the world’s largest and most respected organisations in international academic co-operation,” said Go8 Chair, Professor Paul Greenfield.

“A growing body of evidence points to the benefits of international engagement in research including addressing global challenges, improving international relations, stimulating foreign investment flows and facilitating access to research infrastructure.

“In its first four years the scheme has provided funding for 113 projects on issues ranging from renewable energy and emissions trading to ageing and integration of migrants.

“The Go8 recognises Germany’s outstanding record in research and innovation and we hope that together we will be able to generate health, economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits for both our nations”, Professor Greenfield concluded.

Applications close on 30 June 2011.

Further details including application, selection procedures and a comprehensive list of projects funded since 2007 are available at: http://go8.edu.au/university-staff/programs-_and_-fellowships-1/go8-germany-joint-research-co-operation-scheme

4 May 2011

The Group of Eight welcomes the release of Skills Australia’s Skills for Prosperity: a roadmap for vocational education and training.

“The roadmap is a reminder of the strong demand for skills at all levels, and of the importance of a balanced post-secondary education sector in supplying that demand,” said Go8 Chair, Professor Paul Greenfield.

“Skills for Prosperity includes several important and commendable recommendations which can support the development of a balanced and responsive tertiary sector.

“In particular, the Go8 supports the proposed national demand-driven entitlement system for funding VET places, and the introduction of income-contingent loans for higher level courses.  We also welcome the recommendation that Commonwealth-supported higher education places be made more widely available to VET providers.  This is something the Go8 has advocated for some time.

“These recommendations, taken together with higher education reforms following the Bradley Review, present the opportunity to widen choice for students, encourage a more varied structure of supply to meet their needs and foster the provision of a range of essential skills to the labour market.

“Skills Australia’s recommendations would maintain the distinct role of VET while further encouraging cooperation between the higher education and VET sectors.  If adopted, the recommendations would make efficient use of the nation’s sunk investment in VET and would address concerns that the VET system could become little more than a feeder for an expanding, demand-driven higher education system.

“While we strongly support Skills Australia’s calls to give students a real choice between higher education and VET options, an even more effective and responsive system could evolve if providers in both sectors were permitted to compete on price, allowing students to decide how much they were prepared to pay for a wider variety of courses.

“While the Go8’s views on some matters differ from views expressed in Skills Australia’s report, Skills for Prosperity is an important statement on the importance of diversity in post-school education – for students, providers, employers and Australia as a whole.  I congratulate Skills Australia on its roadmap.

“The Go8 calls on the Government to consider its recommendations closely,” Professor Greenfield concluded.

FOR INFORMATION: Kerrie Thornton, Director, Communications and International, Group of Eight   Ph: 02 6239 5488

24 March 2011

Australia’s medical and health research is vital to the health and welfare of Australians as well as to the Australian economy.

The Group of Eight (Go8) universities support today’s open letter to Members of Parliament about the importance of investing in health and medical research.

The letter highlights the fact that Australian medical innovations save lives, reduce healthcare costs, attract international investment and create jobs.

The recent Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) process highlighted that medical and health research conducted in Australian universities is well above world average standard especially in cardiovascular medicine and haematology, immunology, oncology and carcinogenesis and medical physiology.

Continued public investment in medical research is essential for maintaining Australia at the cutting edge of healthcare innovation and delivery.

A copy of the open letter to Members of Parliament can be viewed HERE.


FOR INFORMATION: Kerrie Thornton, Ph: 02 6239 5488
FOR COMMENT: Professor Max Lu, DVC Research, The University of Queensland, Ph: 07 3365 9044

4 May 2011

The Group of Eight will sign a new Memorandum of Understanding with Chile’s leading universities, represented by the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities, (CRUCH) in Santiago today.

The MOU commits the two groups of universities to co-operation and dialogue in a number of areas including research commercialisation, technology transfer and qualifications recognition.

Since 2008 the Go8 has worked closely with the Chilean Government to provide postgraduate education and training to Chilean students under its Bicentennial Scholarship Fund for Human Capital Development.

The fund aims to increase social mobility, improve Chile’s education, research and innovation efforts and develop skills in various disciplines by sending 30,000 Chilean students abroad over a ten year period. The overwhelming majority of students coming to Australia on Chilean government scholarships are enrolling in Go8 universities.

“The Group of Eight is delighted to be strengthening its ties with Chile today,” said Go8 Chair, Professor Paul Greenfield, who signed the MOU for the Go8.

“For the past three years Go8 universities have welcomed an increasing number of postgraduate students from Chile in disciplines such as Mining, Offshore Technologies, Agriculture Biotechnology, Energy, Environmental Issues, Health and Education – which are all priorities for the Chilean Government.

“Today’s agreement is about co-operation and exchange. We look forward to working with CRUCH to build a positive relationship over the first five years of the Agreement and beyond,” Professor Greenfield concluded

Areas of Cooperation

The Go8 and CRUCH have agreed to the following:

•    To share specific expertise in research commercialisation, interdisciplinary research, innovation and technology transfer in areas of mutual interest;
•    To disseminate to their members, information about specific requests of collaboration from Chilean
or Go8 institutions
•    To disseminate to their members, information about research consulting opportunities from
industry or government;
•    To serve as a central point of contact for each other and maintain regular dialogue. Each secretariat will identify possible information sharing opportunities;
•    To notify each other of any events or opportunities of cooperation of mutual interest in their respective countries, particularly those relating to co-tutelle and joint degree structures;
•    To promote each group to their respective governments and students as the leading research universities in Australia and Chile;
•    Mutual assistance on enhancing recognition of qualifications between Chilean and Australian universities;
•    Recognise, in principle, that Chilean five year undergraduate degrees with a research component are equivalent to Australian Honours degrees.

FOR INFORMATION: Kerrie Thornton, Go8 Communications Director, 02 6239 5488

31 January 2011

The large majority of research at Group of Eight universities has been assessed as world standard or above by today’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) results.

ERA assesses research quality within Australia's universities using expert review by committees of experienced, internationally-recognised experts.

Go8 Chair, Professor Paul Greenfield, said today’s ERA results provide peer reviewed and metrics based evidence that Go8 universities are making very good use of the public investment in research.

“ERA has assessed 94 per cent of research undertaken at Go8 universities as world standard or above,” said Professor Greenfield.

“When you consider the size of the student community and the comprehensive nature of Go8 universities, this is a very encouraging result.

“ERA provides information to guide future investment in research. It shows us what Australia is doing well and areas which can be improved.

“While all Go8 universities achieved the highest ranking for Medical and Health Sciences, there is room for improvement in important enabling disciplines such as Mathematics and Economics.

“Australia does not have the human or financial capacity to achieve world class performance in all research disciplines, just as we cannot win gold in every Olympic sport. However we can use the ERA data to improve performance in areas of national significance.

“While overall these results are promising they need to be viewed in the context of rising investment in research capacity in emerging economies in Asia. The results are certainly no cause for complacency.

“The Go8 welcomes the Government’s focus on internationally benchmarked quality of research and looks forward to working with the Australian Research Council to improve the reliability of the data over time,” Professor Greenfield concluded.

For more information visit: http://www.arc.gov.au/era/

FOR INFORMATION: Kerrie Thornton, 02 6239 5488

FOR COMMENT: To interview Professor Greenfield contact Fiona Kennedy on 07 3365 1384

19 April 2011

The Group of Eight welcomes the appointment of Professor Ian Chubb to the role of Chief Scientist.

“This is an exceptional appointment to what is an exceptionally important role,” said Go8 Chair, Professor Paul Greenfield.

“Ian brings extensive experience in university research with a truly global perspective to the challenges facing Australia, and an understanding of the power of science to contribute to solutions.”

“Ian also knows well the realities of working in universities and with government. He will bring balance and wisdom to the consideration of complex issues.”

“Australia will benefit greatly from his contribution as Chief Scientist.”

FOR INFORMATION:

Bernadine Caruana, Director, Policy, Group of Eight Ph: 02 6239 5488

12 April 2011

The Go8 today released a report on how university selection procedures can better support student diversity and success in higher education. The report finds that while tertiary entrance rank (ATAR) is a good indicator of likely success at university, there are other indicators which can be used in combination with the ATAR to support social inclusion in higher education.

The report was prepared by the Centre for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE) at the University of Melbourne, with funding from the Go8 and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

In commissioning this report the Go8 aims to improve the way university selection criteria and practices foster diversity of participation and student success in an expanding tertiary education environment.

"Universities face the challenge of identifying student potential by selecting in an open, fair and defensible way,” said Professor Sue Willis, chair of the Go8 Social Inclusion Strategy Group.

"The report finds that employing a wide range of criteria in selection offers universities the best chance of identifying the student characteristics associated with success”.

The lead author of the report, Research Fellow at the CSHE Nigel Palmer, said “the challenge of improving equity of participation in higher education is directly linked with the process of selecting for admission, and with efforts to improve prospects for student success”.

Other key findings in the report include:
•    Inequalities in higher education participation are inevitable as long as selection procedures are based predominantly on criteria that are also correlated with socio-economic status, such as rankings derived from secondary school results;
•    There is evidence to suggest there are significant numbers of students with low and middle entrance rank who are capable of success in tertiary study with appropriate preparation and support;
•    Prior university study is among the best predictors of success for future study, its capacity as a very good predictor of student success should also be of interest for high demand courses for which there is also a high cost per place;
•    Students from State and Catholic schools, while overall often achieving lower tertiary entrance rank than their peers from the more selective or "elite" schools actually tend to out-perform those students with comparable entrance rank once at university;
•    Aptitude tests have only moderate predictive power for university success;
•    School rank programs (eg the Texas model) provide a means for evaluating and comparing student characteristic in student cohorts within schools and may go some way to mitigating uneven progression rates to university between schools.

CONTACT FOR COMMENT:
Professor Sue Willis, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Social Inclusion), Monash University, Chair, Go8 Social Inclusion Strategy, Ph: 03 9903 4096, Mob: 0409 169 565

Mr Nigel Palmer, Research Fellow, Centre for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE) 0405 448 147 or 03 9035 4549.

FOR INFORMATION:
Kerrie Thornton, Director, Communications and International, Group of Eight Ph: 02 6239 5488

6 April 2011

The quality of Australian higher education will suffer without greater government investment and partial deregulation of student contributions.

The Go8’s submission to the current review on base funding for universities focuses on maintaining quality as the system expands to meet government targets.

“Current funding of universities is outmoded and not fit for purpose. It is based on a formula developed more than 20 years ago,” said Go8 Chair, Professor Paul Greenfield.

“There is a significant gap between funding and costs.  This gap will widen as the system grows to meet government participation targets.

“The Go8 believes that past government forecasts have underestimated growth in demand for higher education in the next 15 years. In order to maintain the student staff ratio, total funding would have to increase by $4.5 billion per year. To improve the student staff ratio would require an increase of $7.5 billion per year.

“The scale of likely growth in the system, combined with other fiscal demands on government, means that public investment will only be able to cover part of the increased costs. 

“Student contributions should be partially deregulated to allow students to invest more.  This will create more diversity in the sector. A more diverse sector will better meet the needs of a broader cohort of students.

“Holding tuition fees down has a regressive effect. More affluent students invest less in their education than they could afford, while the number of places available to low SES students is restricted.

“A partially deregulated system should be overseen by an independent pricing regulator, operating at ‘arm’s length’ from Government, but empowered to provide binding advice on the cost and appropriate level of funding.  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) may be a useful model for a higher education pricing regulator.

“The Go8 also recommends that universities are funded for a package of activities essential to their mission. Base funding should incorporate infrastructure, scholarship and research,” Professor Greenfield concluded.

FOR INFORMATION:  Kerrie Thornton, Director, Communications and International, Group of Eight Ph: 02 6239 5488

FOR COMMENT: Professor Paul Greenfield, Go8 Chair, Vice-Chancellor, The University of Queensland Ph 07 3365 1300

The Go8’s submission calls on Government to use the following list of principles to design future higher education funding policy.

Australia’s higher education system should be of international quality

• International benchmarking of the quality of the learning experience shows that the learning experience of Australian students is inferior to that of students in the US and the UK.

A quality higher education system requires adequate funding which should be sustainable

• Current funding rates do not support universities to achieve Government’s participation and quality goals.
• Universities cannot fund a quality student experience at current funding rates.
• Base funding must cover the cost of university activities that contribute to the student experience, including infrastructure, scholarship and research, and student services and amenities. It should not be considered to fund teaching alone.
• An enhanced student experience can increase student engagement and raise success rates.
• Due to inadequate funding, universities have had to allow teaching infrastructure to deteriorate and student-staff ratios to rise, and student support services have not been provided at a level sufficient to meet international benchmarks.
• Revenue from international student fees has plugged the funding gap. Relying so heavily on international revenue was always dubious policy: now it threatens to become unfeasible due to softening international demand.
• Demographic growth, increasing demand for high level skills and Government attainment and participation targets will drive strong growth in domestic enrolments in the foreseeable future. Go8 projections suggest that EFTSL in CSPs will increase by 55 per cent (or more than 200,000) to 2030.
• It will not be possible for Government alone to meet the cost of projected growth in the medium to long term, and if universities have no room to raise tuition fees then quality is likely to decline further.

Costs must be shared between Government and students

• Funding reform must build on Australia’s world-leading system of income-contingent loans.
• While Government should increase funding, its contribution will be limited by fiscal constraints. In order to make a sufficient level of base funding available, universities should therefore be allowed greater flexibility in setting fees.

Students should have greater choice

• Government has committed to a demand-driven system by removing caps on CSPs from 2012.
• To make the system genuinely demand-driven, the next step is to diversify supply by allowing institutional differentiation. A more diverse range of provision will be necessary to meet the differing needs of a larger and more diverse student body.
• Deregulating student contributions will allow price point competition. Students can make their own trade-offs between convenience, quality and price, as already happens in the international and postgraduate full-fee markets.
• Pricing flexibility allows universities to charge more for more expensive, higher quality services.

Funding arrangements should support equity and access

• Income-contingent loans lower up-front barriers to student participation.
• Fee deregulation means a closer alignment between what students pay and what they can afford.
• In return for pricing flexibility, universities must demonstrate their commitment to recruiting those students most able to succeed, regardless of their background, including those disadvantaged by their prior schooling.
• Improvements to funding of student living costs would be more effective than loadings for enrolment in improving participation of low SES students.

Allocation of funding should be as simple as possible, recognising the complexity of contemporary higher education. Allocation of funding should be transparent

• Funding should be allocated on the basis of a simple formula, based primarily on student numbers as an indicator of the volume of activity. Additional earmarked components and loadings should be kept to a minimum.
• Base funding should include a more realistic level of funding for capital works and maintenance.
• Infrastructure funding should be an integral part of base funding as adequate facilities are an essential input to the student experience.
• The basis for allocation of funding should be explicit and should be related to quality benchmarks.

2 November 2011

The Group of Eight (Go8) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) today announced a further $1.3 million of funding for joint research exchange with Germany.

In 2007 the Go8 formed a partnership with the DAAD to create the Go8 - Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme.

Since then the scheme has provided AUD5 million to support research exchange between Australia and Germany. The scheme has a particular focus on opportunities for early career researchers.

“The DAAD is one of the world’s largest and most respected organisations in international academic co-operation,” said Chair of the Go8 DVCs Research and UNSW DVC Research, Professor Les Field.

“A growing body of evidence points to the benefits of international engagement in research including addressing global challenges, improving international relations, stimulating foreign investment flows and facilitating access to research infrastructure.

“In its first five years the scheme has provided funding for 153 projects on issues ranging from renewable energy and emissions trading to ageing and integration of migrants.

“The Go8 was able to match the DAAD’s increased funding this year which resulted in a 37 per cent success rate for applicants.

“The Go8 recognises Germany’s outstanding record in research and innovation and we are confident that together we will be able to generate health, economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits for both our nations,” Professor Field concluded.

Further details about the scheme including comprehensive lists of projects funded since 2008 are available from the Go8 website at:  http://www.go8.edu.au/university-staff/programs-_and_-fellowships-1/go8-germany-joint-research-co-operation-scheme

FOR INFORMATION: Kerrie Thornton, Director, Communications and International, Group of Eight,   Ph: 02 6239 5488