policy & reform in the VET sector, have been adversely affected by the competition that uncapping has generated. [ This problem is ] particularly acute with trade skills in states such as Western Australia,” Paul says.
The costs to the taxpayer are expected to reach about $ 6.5 billion in 2015.
The rise of digital technology There are many advantages to the new information age. It allows anyone anywhere to access data, helping those in remote or rural settings study online at the tertiary level.
But whilst the digital age grows and advances every day, it’ s also causing universities some problems, such as the unexpected phenomenon of students forming their own hubs on campus at the expense of attending lectures.
“ It can be quite disheartening for a lecturer to turn up and see only one-third of students in the room,” professor Ann Capling, deputy vice-chancellor academic at Murdoch University, says.
“ A lecture is a performance and lecturers build themselves up for this and what we are seeing is more and more students wanting an audio or an audio and visual summary of the lecture.”
Capling believes academic institutions need to be more savvy with their technology when producing any kind of visual and / or audio performance but the amount of time and money involved is high.
She cites the example of the detailed graphics you can see in games such as“ Grand Theft Auto” and how advanced the games market has become whilst most universities have not transformed much away from the traditional style of teaching.
“ Universities in general need to deliver online content that is engaging and stimulating, while combining digital learning with traditional teaching,” she says. But teaching with the latest technology is just one part of it. Officials say the sector must at least keep up to date with changes in the digital space across the whole institution.“ Those universities that do not suitably apply digital technologies will struggle to survive, both in terms of attracting students as well as containing operating costs,” Ernst & Young senior partner, education and strategy Peter Rohan says.
“ For teaching, universities will – or should – move rapidly to take on adaptive learning technologies, along the lines provided by such local Australian companies as Smart Sparrow. Existing MOOC models will soon be overtaken by approaches emphasising learning, not just knowledge sharing.
“ These technologies permit the process of teaching to be both more valued and enriching from a teacher and student perspective.”
Research The success rate in applications for the last round of National Health and Medical Research Council grants fell to only 16.9 per cent. This is the lowest level since the turn of the century. Universities are moving money around from other courses, student fees and the like to fund research.
This is not healthy for the premise of a university or for the future of Australia.
“ Research support has always been rationed in Australia – at least for as long as I can remember,” Australia’ s Chief Scientist professor Ian Chubb, says.“ We could always spend more; indeed, we could spend whatever we had to spend. How wisely is another matter. I do not know what the right percentage would be. I do know that the research community is unlikely to get more money just because it argues that there is not enough.
“ We need a strategic approach to funding and to the way we use our various support mechanisms. Without a strategy it will always be a bit too ad hoc; and that is not good for anybody.”
Professor Stephanie Fahey, Ernst & Young Oceania head, education, says,“ Australia continues to lag in its capacity for public-sector research organisations and private-sector bodies to work together with clear and shared commercial research goals.
“ While the‘ public good’ nature of education and much research will always remain, the rapid changing of workforce and
With careful thought, [ we could develop ] better and much less costly ways to lift participation of low- SES students than simply uncapping enrolments. campusreview. com. au | 9