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Better or worse
Which unis gain and which lose revenue in higher ed reforms ?
The University of the Sunshine
Coast ’ s coffers will be hardest hit by changes to higher education funding , with the institution facing a loss of over $ 31 million a year .
That was one of the surprising findings from new analysis , released before the reforms passed the senate , by Mark Warburton from the Centre for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Melbourne .
Warburton ’ s paper , which drew from departmental estimates of future university
revenue , compared the estimated funding of individual universities in 2023 under current policy settings and the government ’ s recent changes to higher education funding .
He found six of the Group of Eight universities also appear to be facing a revenue loss – combined , it would total nearly $ 60 million a year .
Monash University and the University of Queensland helped beef up that figure – they face a predicted revenue shortfall of $ 17 million and just under $ 15 million , respectively .
Flinders University was estimated to lose over $ 9 million , while James Cook University would come up $ 6 million short .
The Universities of Newcastle , Wollongong and Western Sydney along with Federation University stand to lose around $ 5 million each , while Edith Cowan University would be down $ 2 million .
Warburton said : “ It is far from clear that the reforms will produce the benefits for our economy and for rural and regional higher education provision that the government is claiming .”
He added that the USC result should be “ viewed with caution and warrants more detailed examination of the reliability of the data and / or the causes of the result ”.
Not all figures were in red ink – 21 of the 37 universities in the report stand to be better off under the reforms .
Macquarie University would be the biggest winner . It ’ s looking at a revenue jump of $ 24.5 million . Revenue at QUT would increase by $ 17 million , while Griffith would get a $ 15 million bump .
Charles Sturt University , the University of New England , La Trobe University and the University of Western Australia would see increases in revenue of between $ 10 and $ 15 million .
Warburton said these universities must be receiving a large share of the estimated 42,000 extra student places the government says it will fund in 2023 at the new lower average rate .
“ We have not been told how many student places any university is to receive , but these universities will need to earn their additional revenue by supplying those additional places and they will incur additional costs in doing so ,” he said . ■
Search underway
Uni of Adelaide looks for new leader after controversy .
By AAP
The University of Adelaide has begun a global search for its next vicechancellor and president following the controversial resignation of Peter Rathjen .
Adelaide Uni Chancellor Catherine Branson . Photo : Matt Turner
Rathjen resigned amid a recent investigation by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption which ultimately found he inappropriately touched , hugged and kissed two female employees in unwanted and unwelcome sexual behaviour .
The inquiry also criticised university management for not referring the original complaints from the two women to the University Council , its governing body .
University chancellor Catherine Branson said a comprehensive local and international search for leading candidates is underway in the search for Rathjen ’ s replacement .
“ We want a leader who will inspire our students to achieve their full potential , our staff to teach and undertake research at the highest level , and our alumni to feel increasingly proud of their alma mater ,” she said in a statement .
“ Our next leader must be forwardthinking , collegiate and valuesdriven , embracing equality and diversity .”
As part of the process , all staff and students were invited to rank the selection criteria for the new vicechancellor and to provide written feedback , with 720 staff and students completing the survey .
A shortlist of candidates is due to be finalised in December , with interviews in January 2021 .
Acting vice-chancellor and president Mike Brooks will continue in the role until an appointment is made . ■
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