Casuals

Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research today called for interested Australians to respond to a consultation paper on the development of the Government’s new Future Fellowships scheme.

The House of Representatives Industry, Science and Innovation Committee has announced an inquiry into the contribution that Australian universities make to Australian research training, and the challenges those universities face in recruiting, training and retaining quality research staff.

Figures released today by The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) show that for the first time the stipend rate for Australian Postgraduate Awards (APAs) will slip below the poverty line by the end of 2008.

“These figures spell out what research postgraduates already know – that the basic stipend rate for the APA is, by itself, simply not enough to live on” CAPA President, Nigel Palmer said.

In 2007 CAPA had a short list of key priorities for the federal election^[1]. Below is a quick recap of the campai

A report card on the higher education policies of the Coalition and Labor parties released by university staff and students on Tuesday has failed the Howard Government for its record on universities.

The report card, prepared by National Tertiary Education Union, the National Union of Students and the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations, awarded Labor a pass on the basis of the well targeted but limited commitments announced during the campaign and its stated commitment to build on these in office.

A report card on the higher education policies of the Coalition and Labor parties released by university staff and students on Tuesday has failed the Howard Government for its record on universities.

The report card, prepared by National Tertiary Education Union, the National Union of Students and the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations, awarded Labor a pass on the basis of the well targeted but limited commitments announced during the campaign and its stated commitment to build on these in office.

NTEU is a specialist national union solely representing staff in tertiary education. In all Australian universities, NTEU represents academic and research staff, general staff, ELICOS teachers, and staff of Student Unions and university companies. In Victoria, NTEU represents TAFE general staff and all staff in Adult Education. NTEU is growing steadily and has over 26,000 members.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) has welcomed higher education policy announcements issued today by The Greens. “Taking action on Indigenous participation, a focus on university communities (fixing VSU) and the plight of casually employed teaching and research staff are highlights of The Greens’ Higher Education policy released today” CAPA President, Nigel Palmer said.

CAPA welcomes the long term vision found in The Greens Higher Education Policy. Other significant policy statements outlined by The Greens today include:

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) has welcomed calls by both the Group of Eight Universities (Go8) and the Australian Technology Network (ATN) to boost the number of domestic PhD places, increase the number of and rates for research stipends, and provide better support and opportunities for postgraduates and early career researchers.

Report from the 2002 inquiry into the implications for universities of changes in the academic workforce and work conditions.