Labor's Online University

The 100,000 place Australian on-line university proposed today by Kim Beazley as part of the Opposition's election platform is a very significant initiative which needs to be fully extended to postgraduate students.

Speaking from the Press Club in Canberra, CAPA President John Byron said, 'the Opposition's proposal will provide research and job opportunities in the on-line education field for Australian postgraduate students.

'However, Labor should extend its proposal to allow access to the vast number of graduates currently locked out of further education by high fees for postgraduate courses'.

This is particularly relevant given the greater suitability of flexible and on-line education to postgraduate as opposed to undergraduate students.

Almost all postgraduate coursework courses at universities are now fee paying. Fees range from under $4,000 for a graduate certificate to $35,000 for an elite masters program.

Teachers, nurses and other health workers are affected and the Miles report, referred to today by Mr Beazley, calls for greater access to postgraduate coursework education. Commenting further Mr Byron went on to say, 'the on-line university proposal is important because it provides a real alternative in the on-line and for-profit education market.

'Currently this area of higher education has weak quality control and contains many disreputable operators.'

A further benefit of the proposal is that it will provide an Australian source of high quality on-line courses not just re-badging of imported education.