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AU universities head for the top
In the face of“ short sighted” funding cuts and a changing education system, Australia’ s universities are rapidly emerging as potential world leaders, according to a new university rankings list. By Antonia Maiolo
Australia has shot up in the latest global universities ranking guide, with more institutions in the top 100 list than any other country except the UK.
According to the Times Higher Education’ s 100 Under 50 list, Australia has emerged as the second strongest nation behind only the UK, with 13 institutions in the top 100.
The Queensland University of Technology has become the top-ranked institution for Australia, jumping from 40th last year to joint 26th. The University of South Australia is another to show significant improvement, rising from 65th to 48th place.
While the country loses two from the list – Edith Cowan University and RMIT
University – it gains one with Murdoch University placing joint 57th.
The world-wide ranking of 100 universities aged under 50 examined which nations are best positioned to challenge the US and the UK as future higher education powerhouses, with Australian universities providing fierce competition to the traditional elite.
Phil Baty, rankings editor and editor at large with London-based THE, said the performance outcome is“ good news” for Australia which has shown very promising signs recently.
“ Australian universities did very well in the 2012-13 World University Rankings, and this dynamic new list shows that Australia has real strength in the depth and diversity of its higher education system,” Baty said.
“ There are really positive prospects and great opportunities for Australia, across the sector, especially given its proximity for the growing economies of Asia and its attractiveness to international students.”
But Baty said there are clear warning signs for Australia, with no institutions in the top 20 and two representatives having dropped out of the top 100 this year.
Although the country has consolidated its positions in the rankings, he warned that Australia risks being left behind if it doesn’ t“ exploit its strengths and geographical advantages”.
Baty said the“ short-sighted” funding cuts to the country’ s tertiary sector have sent out a distress signal across the higher education world, and that Australia could fail to capitalise on its current strong position in world higher education and research.
He said whilst Australian higher education is a victim of austerity, a number of East Asian institutions are providing generous funds to their universities.
Twenty-eight countries / regions were represented in the“ horizon-scanning” list of potential higher education leaders compared with 30 last year. ■
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The 2nd Annual ATEM / Campus Review 2013 Best Practice Awards in Tertiary Education Management
For 37 years the Association for Tertiary Education Management( ATEM) has been at the forefront of developing, nurturing and encouraging the tertiary education management professional. ATEM has sought to recognise the achievement of our members and to encourage best practice.
In the 2012, ATEM, together with Campus Review, held the first ever best practice awards in tertiary education management. The awards were a great success and we have established what we believe to be a great tradition.
In 2013, applications are invited for the 2nd Annual ATEM / Campus Review Awards for Best Practice in Tertiary Education Management.
The ATEM / Campus Review Best Practice awards in tertiary education management seek to recognise best practice and celebrate not only the winners but all who seek to excel in their profession.
ATEM once again acknowledges the support of Campus Review, the premier magazine dedicated exclusively to the sector, as the awards main sponsor. Last year, Campus Review’ s support was crucial in gaining wide publicity for the awards.
Categories:
u The LH Martin Award for Excellence in Leadership( page 4)
u The ResearchMaster Award for Excellence in Research Management( page 5)
u The Higher Ed Services Award for Excellence in Financial Management( page 6)
u The Dragon NaturallySpeaking Award for Excellence in Innovation( page 7)
u The Knowledge Partnership Award for Excellence in Marketing, Communication and Public Relations( page 8)
u The Professional Staff Union Award for Excellence in Community
Engagement( page 9)
u The Global HR Innovation Award for Excellence in Human Resources
Management( page 10)
u Award for Excellence in Student Administration & Customer Service( page 11)
u The Cyon Knowledge Computing Award for Excellence in IT Management( page 12)
u The Campus Living Villages Award for Excellence by a Young Person in Tertiary Education( page 13)
4 | June 2013