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Best in business
Swinburne , UOW and RMIT ranked top 50 in global MBA rankings .
Australian universities have ranked among the top 50 of the world ’ s best business schools , with over a dozen institutions awarded top tier status for their MBA programs . US-based CEO Magazine recently published its annual Global MBA Rankings . This year , the report drew data from schools across North America , Europe , China , Brazil , India , New Zealand , Australia , Africa and Russia .
Swinburne University of Technology ( 16th ), the University of Wollongong ( 26th ) and RMIT ( 29th ) placed in the top tiers of the global executive MBA rankings .
In the rest of the world category , the Australian Institute of Business ’ MBA program took first place , with the University of Central Queensland and Griffith University coming in third and fourth respectively .
Winning factors were determined based on the quality of faculty ( 34.95 %), international diversity ( 9.71 %), class size ( 9.71 %) and accreditation ( 8.74 %).
In the top online MBA global rankings , Macquarie University ’ s online MBA course was awarded ninth place .
The course has previously received international recognition and is offered through the US-based Coursera learning platform .
The University of South Australia ( 13th ), La Trobe University ( 18th ), Griffith University ( 21th ), and Torrens University ( 27th ) were also recognised for their top-grade online MBA programs .
Torrens vice-chancellor , Professor Alwyn Louw , said the recognition shows their ability to go “ from strength to strength during a period of disruption ”.
“ The CEO Magazine ranking is a clear indication that we are succeeding in our work with industry partners to ensure our graduates ’ skills match industry needs .” ■
Ministerial intervention
Senate launches inquiry into ARC funding grants .
Minister ’ s powers to block ARC funding grants will be scrutinised in a parliamentary inquiry addressing political interference in research .
In February the Senate opened public submissions to consider removing ministers ’ veto powers from the Australian Research Council Act 2001 .
This comes after acting education minister Stuart Robert quietly rejected six ARC humanities research grants last Christmas eve . The move drew international backlash and prompted two senior council members to resign .
The bill under consideration has been championed by Greens senator Maureen Faruqui , who introduced the legislation back in 2018 .
This followed then-Education Minister Simon Birmingham blocking 11 arts and humanities projects from receiving funding .
“ There is no place for political interference in research funding and my bill would ensure that grants are allocated through the established rigorous processes , not ministerial intervention ,” Faruqui wrote in a statement .
“ I ’ m really looking forward to hearing from universities and researchers on this critical issue . Frankly , for too long their voices have been ignored .”
In a senate estimates meeting , senior Liberal senator Amanda Stoker defended Roberts ’ decision to block the grants , arguing that they were not in the national interest .
“ We are very happy to stand by the decision to reject a research project on how climate shaped the Elizabethan theatre ,” Stoker said under questioning .
“ It ’ s pretty hard to justify at the price of $ 449,000 as reflecting the needs and interests and priorities of a nation .”
Members of the scientific community have argued that political interference in research grants limits academic freedom and undermines independent thought .
In his 2022 State of the University address , Australian National University ( ANU ) vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt labelled ministerial veto powers as an “ existential threat ”.
“ My strong view , a view held by many university leaders , whether they say it out loud or not , is Australia needs an apolitical system to allocate research funding ,” he said . ■
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