CAPA Media Releases

CAPA issues regular media releases on education policy. CAPA's monitoring of the higher education sector ensures it is in a position to quickly provide a media response on policy initiatives by government that affect postgraduate students. CAPA ensures that the postgraduate student perspective is known and lobbies the State and Federal governments accordingly. Providing media releases is an effective way of highlighting the views and concerns of postgraduate students to the broadest audience.

Lack of Funding Will Bankrupt the Knowledge Economy

The spectre of cuts to the NH&MRC in this year's Federal Budget, which come on the heels of the Government's decision to decommission the Australia Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC), does not bode well for Australia's future. “This is a ludicrous plan totally at odds with the rhetoric of Australia as a smart nation,” said Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations President, John Nowakowski.

CAPA Disaffiliates Postgrad-Unfriendly Student Unions at UQ and UTS

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) on Friday voted unanimously to disaffiliate the University of Technology Sydney Student Association (UTSSA) and the University of Queensland Union (UQU). They are the first members to be disaffiliated since the introduction of the so-called Voluntary Student Unionism legislation in 2005.

“Neither organisation has responded to repeated attempts by the peak body to engage with them, and neither has paid their CAPA affiliation fees since 2005,” said CAPA National President Tammi Jonas.

Base Public Funding Must Increase

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) held its conference and Annual Council Meeting (ACM) last week with the support of the University of Melbourne Graduate Student Association (GSA). The Council enjoyed contributions from universities across Australia , welcoming representatives from Victoria and Canberra Universities for the first time since the introduction of so-called Voluntary Student Unionism in 2005.

CAPA looks forward to continued commitment to higher education and research

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) has expressed confidence in the continuation of the Australian Labor Party as the Government, seeing it as a benefit for all students across Australia.

“The strong position of The Greens on higher education will help to influence a continuation of the support that the Labor Government has shown to the sector,” commented CAPA National Secretary, John Nowakowski.

CAPA Welcomes ALP Announcements for Education and Research

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) has been impressed by the release of the Australia Labor Party’s Higher Education plan today, coming off the back of the similarly progressive policy from the Greens. “The ALP and Greens are showing due regard for the contributions Higher Education makes to national research and innovation, and CAPA is hearted by the dedications to progress both parties are planning” CAPA National Secretary John Nowakowski stated. “As one of the major industries of Australia, education needs to remain at the forefront of policy.”

AQF Must Support a Baseline for Quality

 

It is vital that the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is able to effectively sustain the national and international reputation of Australian degrees.  As the current cycle of consultation on the revised AQF framework draws to a conclusion, CAPA has released a brief statement in support of the quality of Australian postgraduate degrees.

The 2010 Federal Election and Postgraduates

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) has today released a report that outlines the key priorities for Australia’s 280,000+ postgraduate students in the lead up to the 2010 Federal Election.  The report is informed by the efforts of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) to support improvements and reforms for postgraduates for over 30 years, as well as ongoing engagement and consultation on the interests and needs of this important group.

International Students in Australia Announce United Voice

A joint media release from:The Council of International Students Australia (CISA)The National Union of Students (NUS)

Federal Government’s Reality Check on RTS

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) has welcomed the release of the Consultation Paper for informing the development of the Federal Government’s Research Workforce Strategy. The Consultation Paper follows directly from Building Australia's Research Capacity, the Final report from the 2008 House of Reps Inquiry into Research Training and Research Workforce Issues.