CAPA welcomes guaranteed loans for NSW Universities
CAPA welcomes the announcement made by the NSW State Government on Saturday 6th June 2020 that it will provide $750 million of guaranteed loans to support the state’s universities to recover from the devastating effects of COVID-19.
The NSW Minister for Skills and Higher Education, the Hon Geoff Lee stated, “Universities play a key role in the economic strength and productivity of our State, supporting jobs and delivering skilled graduates, research and innovation. Healthy universities will be essential for NSW to recover from COVID-19”.
CAPA office bearer Shae Brown had met with Marsha Mannot, Educational Advisor to Minister Lee, on Thursday 4th June 2020, to emphasise the need for action from the NSW Government. Particularly in light of the fact that universities are projecting significant financial losses from semester 2, and to remind Ms Mannot of the important role of postgraduate students in Australia’s economy.
Mx Brown had explained that “Research is at the forefront of the economic recovery for Australia in the wake of COVID-19, providing knowledge capital which feeds productivity and prosperity, and research jobs and funding are under serious threat.”
“Postgraduate students require Government leadership to provide the appropriate conditions for continuation of their valuable research. 56% of paid research and development hours in Australian universities are provided by postgraduate students. This fact requires acknowledgement and support for their role in the generation of valuable knowledge, innovation and technology”, says CAPA President Romana Begicevic.
CAPA continues to represent and support postgraduate students across Australia and will be seeking to discover the plans and intentions of the other States in the wake of this announcement by the NSW Government.
END
For comment:
CAPA National President Romana-Rea Begicevic
M: 0420 258 404
E: president@capa.edu.au
