Universities are a step ahead in having adopted a number of practical changes, but it’s clear transformative cultural change in our institutions requires all the expertise they can muster.
More and more Australians are gaining university degrees. And increasingly that means a degree does not guarantee a job, although it did appear to offer some protection against COVID job losses.
Even before the pandemic added to their financial stresses, a survey of international students suggests more than 20,000 were renting beds that are available to them for only certain hours.
Government incentives might boost the numbers of collaborative research projects, but academics also must work on their relationships with industry practitioners to ensure everyone contributes fully.
The focus on rankings has been more a symptom than a cause of the challenge Australian universities face, namely a structural change in their revenue base.
Food insecurity affected many students even before the pandemic hit, with international students the worst hit. But students and universities have shown a lot can be done to end the problem.
Women enrolled in STEM courses are often more confident than men, but it hasn’t translated into career success and they are still very much a minority. More needs to be done in workplaces and schools.
Australia’s mature-age students often must juggle work, children and study, are studying off campus and have a higher risk of dropping out. Higher education can do better for these 430,000 students.
On International Women’s Day, universities should resolve to lead the way in reshaping workplace rituals, rules and routines to advance gender equality and ensure safe workplaces.
International Women’s Day is a time to take stock of what has been achieved and what remains to be done. 2020 was a massive missed opportunity to improve gender equity among university leaders.
A study of 39 Australian universities has found 20 don’t have an anti-bullying policy relating to students. Bullying is a problem at universities, but their actions lag behind schools and workplaces.
South Africa’s constitution provides for equal access to education and its inclusive education policy exists to make this a reality. But in practice students’ diverse needs are not being met.
Starting out at university can be daunting, even more so amid the uncertainties of a pandemic. But students can maximise their chances of thriving by taking a few simple steps.
Universities are a prime target for cyber attacks and the weakest links in their defences are all the non-expert users of their systems. Teaching everyone basic cyber hygiene is vital.
Associate Professor of Philanthropic Studies and Donald A. Campbell Chair in Fundraising Leadership, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Indiana University