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ON CAMPUS
Monash ’ s new digital ID system . Picture : Supplied .
Going digital
Monash ends physical staff and student ID .
By Emilie Lauer
Monash University has ditched its physical student and staff ID cards for a “ more convenient and secure ” digital pass .
The new pass , which will be accessible on mobile phones and connected watches , will replace university identification and allow staff and students to gain access to campus facilities .
Monash said the move to digital has been cost-effective , environmentally friendly and created a safer environment .
Monash university director , digital and Monash connect Josh Teichman said students have been “ hungry for this type of technology ”.
“[ It ] offers greater flexibility , a more secure experience , and aligns to our aspirations to be net zero by reducing plastic waste ,” Mr Teichman said .
Mr Teichman said Monash ’ s M-Pass is similar to other tap and pay technologies .
Students and staff will have to hold their phones near a reader to gain access to the campus facilities including shuttle bus services , the gym , and the library as well as for printing and photocopying .
Users will also be able to add their M-Pass to their Apple or Google Wallet to be able to use their university ID without having to unlock their devices .
The university said it will also put mobile phone chargers at disposal in common areas in case students ’ are running low on battery .
Monash chief operating officer and senior vice-president Peter Marshall said Monash prides itself as Australia ’ s first university to fully digitalise ID access .
“ We ’ re proud to be at the forefront of a modern , more efficient way for students and staff to engage with our campus facilities and services ,” Mr Marshall said .
Tens of thousands of new and existing students and staff will be using M-Pass from first semester . ■
A big surplus
Universities post recordbreaking surplus in 2021 .
By Eleanor Campbell
Australian universities reported a record-breaking $ 5.3bn surplus during the second year of the pandemic , up from a surplus of $ 706.9 million in 2020 , new data shows .
A financial report released by the federal education department showed only three out of 39 universities recorded a revenue deficit in 2021 , with $ 38.9bn in total profit made across the higher education sector .
The University of Sydney reported the highest profit - recording $ 3.5bn in total revenue with a $ 1B surplus .
International student fees made up for most of the university ’ s total revenue , with overseas students making up an estimated 44 per cent of its student cohort in 2021 .
A University of Sydney spokesperson told Campus Review the figure was a “ one-off ” and can be attributed to savings measures put in place at the start of the pandemic .
“ It also included a series of one-time returns such as property sales , strong investment yields and donor gifts and bequests that can only be spent as instructed and not used for our day-to-day operations ,” they said .
“ Every dollar of our surplus return is reinvested back into the institution to support our core activities of teaching and research , now and into the future .”
The University of Melbourne recorded the second-highest surplus at $ 584 million , with the University of Queensland following at $ 332 million .
Government assistance was the highest source of income for universities with
$ 20.2bn spread across the sector in 2021 , a ten per cent increase from 2020 .
International student fees made up $ 8.9bn of revenue , down from $ 9.5bn in 2020 .
According to government data , the number of overseas students in Australia has risen by more than 120,000 since international borders reopened in December 2021 .
Universities ’ investment income soared in 2021 , with $ 3.2B reported in total investment returns - up from $ 0.8B in 2020 .
Employee expenses were cut down by 5 per cent across the sector , the report said , including 4.6 per cent for academic staff and 6.7 per cent for professional staff . Payroll tax decreased by 5.3 per cent . Federal government data shows that the number of full-time equivalent jobs in universities fell from 130,414 in March 2020 to 121,364 a year later .
It ’ s estimated that the number of casual staff , who make up around 30 per cent of the sector , account for a higher proportion of staff cuts .
Universities also reported $ 103.3bn in total assets during December 2021 , an eight per cent increase on the year prior . ■
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