The accord calls for meaningful steps to increase the numbers of Indigenous graduates and Indigenous leaders in higher education. In a post-referendum Australia, this is more important than ever.
State and federal education ministers have agreed university offers should not be made to Year 12 students before September this year. Previously they have been made as early as March.
The push to increase enrolments to 1.8 million by 2050 comes at a time when classes are heading online. This makes it harder to foster a vital sense of belonging for students.
The Universities Accord final report makes recommendations that could significantly change what many Australian students pay for their higher education.
The Universities Accord final report proposes Australia adopts a ‘needs-based’ funding model. On top of base funding, there would be extra loadings to support equity students.
The 400-page report is the first broad review of Australian higher education since 2008. It contains 47 recommendations covering ground from course fees, to funding and support for students.
Politicians talk about how they want to see more Indigenous graduates but we don’t often hear from Indigenous students about their experiences. New research talks to four young Indigenous men.
A ‘knowledge economy’ is an economy based on technical and scientific advances. The upcoming Universities Accord should focus more on research and capitalising on discoveries.
There is increasing alarm over the lack of progress around sexual harassment and assault on Australian university campuses. Much of the focus so far has been on students but staff are also at risk.
One of the headline ideas floated by the Universities Accord is a second national university for regional students. This would be on top of the existing Australian National University.
The Universities Accord draft report says universities have an ‘obligation to students to foster belonging’. It also notes ‘too few’ Australians are completing their degrees.
Overhanging the whole accord debate is the question of increasing public funding for universities and academic research in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.
The Universities Accord wants to make sure ‘talented people’ do not miss out on getting ‘life-changing qualifications’. This is where enabling programs can help.
The Universities Accord review found ‘sexual assault and harassment on campus is affecting the wellbeing of students and staff, and their ability to succeed’.