Universities Australia (formerly AVCC)

Student say essential to student amenities bill – Media Release

“What is Universities Australia afraid of?!” was the cry from National President, John Nowakowski, in response to this morning’s Australian article on the Student Services and Amenities Fee Bill. John Nowakowski, President of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations, representing the 300,000+ postgraduate students nationally, was incensed to read that Universities Australia was afraid the situation would be unworkable should amendments be passed to provide student say over student affairs.

Student Income Support Reform Urgently Needed

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes the release of The Australian University Student Finances 2006 final report, and supports the call on the part of Universities Australia for practical changes to student income support.

Broad access to student income support fundamental

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes the inclusion of postgraduate and Indigenous students in the AVCC's student finances survey for the first time. This is significant, and the findings certainly help to illustrate the reality of what is going on “students are struggling to cope with living costs, debt, and study expenses, and are being forced to work more hours at the expense of their academic work" CAPA President, Nigel Palmer said.

Response to the Second Round Consultation - Draft Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) is the national peak body of postgraduate student organisations representing Australia's 257,700 postgraduate students, including 47,300 research students. These research students contribute approximately 70% of the research conducted in Australian universities. This submission will comment broadly on the scope of Part A Introduction/1.Background and then on specific sections of the Draft
Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (the Code).

Full submission is in PDF below:

Out of sight, out of mind? Strategies for supporting external postgraduate students

Distance education increases access to postgraduate study for students who would not otherwise be able to attend a university campus. This briefing paper discusses the educational experience of external postgraduate students, describing the difficulties they may encounter due to their distance from the university and suggesting strategies for their support. The scope of this paper has been directed by CAPA Action Policy for 2003:

Students are Struggling

The crippling effects of the onerous financial pressures faced by Australian students have been revealed by the new report Paying their way: A survey of Australian Undergraduate University Student Finances, 2000, released by the AVCC last week.

"This report confirms what most of us in the sector well know; that the financial burdens involved with studying, without adequate income support measures, are heavy, and often overwhelming" said CAPA President, John Byron.

International students: not just a revenue supply

CAPA President, John Byron, expressed his support for the recommendations of the AV-CC's Discussion Paper on International Education, released this week.

"It is important that Australia does not become complacent about its increasing popularity as an education destination for international students", Mr Byron said.

"The AV-CC's recommendations on international education will help to ensure that international students choose Australia, despite vigorous competition from the UK and the USA, among others."

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