WORKFORCE
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Market resistance
Education is a public good that should not be left to the slings and arrows of unfettered competition.
Stephen Parker interviewed by James Wells
Staunch opponent of fee deregulation professor Stephen Parker is stepping down as vice-chancellor and president of the University of Canberra.
Parker will step down in July next year, after leading UC for nine years, to spend more time with family and pursue other interests.
Whilst he admits the“ tertiary education sector faces challenging times ahead”, Parker is confident the steady progress made in the last few years will help UC“ become a competitive, values-based, outward-looking university [ that will ] thrive in the future”.
Parker spoke with Campus Review shortly after the announcement to discuss career highlights, future plans and the roles of deregulation and market forces in higher education.
CR: Why did you decide to step down as vice-chancellor and president?
SP: Well, by the first of July, I will have served more than nine years, and I think that’ s a reasonably long period in the job.
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