CHALLENGES FOR AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES GAVIN BROWN THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

CONTEXT: funds? Research intensive universities – USYD Government block funds- 19% Competitive grants – 26% Student fees-coursework P/G, HECS Full fee local students Full fee international students Donations, commercialisation, contracts subsidise funds cross

CONTEXT: Government 36 public universities 20 million people Pressure for access on ethic of egalitarianism Extends not just to students having equal choice but all universities! Wants output measures Wants output measures Quality audit

RESEARCH REFORMS Research and Research Training – started some years ago BUT Recently stalled due to an election coming Low total investment by OECD standards Low BERD Genuine effort – doubling major competitive research schemes Matching funds, negative overhead

RESEARCH REFORMS Centres established outside universities Distrust of uni bureaucracy – more regulations imposed Research training- funds follow capacity Poor implementation Resistance by sector as a whole

BROAD REFORMS Teaching and Learning Environment Governance Governance Industrial Relations Industrial Relations CGS CGS HECS - govt subsidised places HECS - govt subsidised places - 25% increase allowed - 25% increase allowed - $35K threshold - $35K threshold - Full fee places - Full fee places - P/G Coursework - P/G Coursework Massive Regulation

CHALLENGES Focus on traditional goals research/teaching Maintain accessibility but increase income Find scope for local strategic planning and cross subsidy Engage in international collaborations Use international measures