2008 Submission in response to the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) Initiative Consultation Paper

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AttachmentsCAPA’s Submission to the “Bradley” Review of Australian Higher Education – July 2008

On 13 March 2008, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, announced a major review of Australia’s higher education system which will examine and report on the future direction of the higher education sector, its fitness for purpose in meeting the needs of the Australian community and economy and the options for ongoing reform.

A Discussion Paper was released on 10 June 2008. The Discussion Paper was followed by consultation sessions hosted in capital cities around the country, in which CAPA and its affiliates were participants.

Attachments:

On the 23rd of May 2008 Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, called for interested Australians to respond to a consultation paper on the development of the Government’s new Future Fellowships scheme.

In the Federal Budget, the Government met its election commitment to fund the $844 million Future Fellowships scheme for top mid-career researchers.

Administered by the Australian Research Council (ARC), the scheme will offer 1,000 talented Australian and international mid-career researchers four-year fellowships of up to $140,000 a year. Host organisations will receive an additional $50,000 a year to support related infrastructure, equipment, travel and relocation costs.

The scheme aims to provide an incentive for Australian researchers based overseas to return home to continue their work and attract the best international researchers.

The scheme will seek to encourage those researchers who can demonstrate a capacity to build collaboration across industry, research institutions, and with other disciplines.

The ARC will collaborate with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and other public research organisations in assessment of funding proposals. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate a link between each Fellowship and the host organisation’s research strengths to ensure that they align with planning for renewal and expansion of the research workforce.

The first round of Fellowships will be awarded in 2009.

Attachment:

On 23 April 2008 the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, asked the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Innovation to undertake an inquiry into research training and research workforce issues in Australian universities.
The Committee invited interested persons and organisations to make submissions addressing the terms of reference by Friday 30 May 2008.

This inquiry “focuses on current university research training programs and some of the challenges universities face in this area. This includes the adequacy and effectiveness of current research training schemes, the factors that determine whether new graduates pursue a career in research, and the opportunities for career advancement for research graduates and staff”

Attachments:

On the 23rd of May 2008 Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, called for interested Australians to respond to a consultation paper on the development of the Government’s new Future Fellowships scheme.

In the Federal Budget, the Government met its election commitment to fund the $844 million Future Fellowships scheme for top mid-career researchers.

Administered by the Australian Research Council (ARC), the scheme will offer 1,000 talented Australian and international mid-career researchers four-year fellowships of up to $140,000 a year. Host organisations will receive an additional $50,000 a year to support related infrastructure, equipment, travel and relocation costs.

The scheme aims to provide an incentive for Australian researchers based overseas to return home to continue their work and attract the best international researchers.

The scheme will seek to encourage those researchers who can demonstrate a capacity to build collaboration across industry, research institutions, and with other disciplines.

The ARC will collaborate with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and other public research organisations in assessment of funding proposals. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate a link between each Fellowship and the host organisation’s research strengths to ensure that they align with planning for renewal and expansion of the research workforce.

The first round of Fellowships will be awarded in 2009.

Attachments:

The Discussion Paper The Impact of Voluntary Student Unionism on Services, Amenities and Representation for Australian University Students was released February 18th, 2008. The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes the release of the discussion paper, and the associated consultation process undertaken by Minister Ellis with the assistance of The Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).

This submission includes responses to points included in the discussion paper, along with additional responses on broader aspects of the impact of the former Federal Government’s so-called “Voluntary Student Unionism” legislation (VSU). This submission also outlines recommendations on possible measures in responding to the impact of VSU.

This submission should be read in conjunction with those of individual postgraduate associations, as well as those of other student organisations. In reviewing this and other submissions to the discussion paper, it is important to keep in mind that one of the worst effects of the former government’s VSU legislation was its impact on maintaining an effective student voice. Those organisations that have been able to prepare a submission in response to the discussion paper have done so largely by balancing competing priorities and stretched resources. Many organisations as a direct result of this legislation have either ceased to exist, or struggle to continue at a severely reduced capacity, and therefore may not have had the means themselves to prepare a response to the discussion paper.

Attachment: NTEU, NUS and CAPA Report

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.

At the same time, staff and students are disappointment with several aspects of Labor’s approach to higher education, particularly the lack of public investment in universities and the failure to undertake more comprehensive reforms of student income support structures.

Ted Murphy, NTEU Assistant Secretary said:

  • “It is very clear that the rhetoric about introducing an ‘Education Revolution” has not been matched by Labor’s announcements for universities during the campaign.”
  • “University staff are particular disappointed with Labor’s failure to commit to a greater level of Commonwealth funding to help universities cover the full cost of educating government supported students and undertaking research.”
  • “At the same time, we recognise that Labor has announced a number of significant, targeted, spending announcements that will benefit the sector. These are in addition to Labor’s commitment to remove workplace relations conditions tied to university funding and abolish full fee paying places for domestic undergraduate students.”
  • “While Labor’s initiatives during the campaign have been limited, the Coalition has been missing in action altogether in the area of higher education.”

Nigel Palmer, CAPA President, said:

  • “CAPA welcomes the fact that postgraduate issues have come to the fore in the 2007 election campaign. The Greens, Democrats and ALP have all made postgraduate issues a priority. Labor’s promise to double the number of scholarships for research students clearly demonstrates they see the importance of today’s postgraduates for the future of higher education. Despite the Coalition taking tentative steps toward improving income support for coursework postgraduates this year, they have offered nothing of substance in their campaign to address 11 years of neglect.”
  • “With the exception of Family First, the minor parties have been consistent in their commitment to Australia’s postgraduates. With the help of The Greens and Democrats in the Senate, we look forward to Labor taking action on issues like income support and sustainable funding for higher education should they win government.”

Michael Nguyen, NUS President, said:

  • “The Coalition has failed to ensure that young people have the opportunity to go to university regardless of their parent’s bank balance. The political parties can be assured that in this election young people will be voting on issues like higher education to ensure that their future is worth looking forward to.”

Attachment: CAPA Paper

The Government is providing $500 million in 2007-08 for higher education institutions to undertake capital projects to support improved teaching and learning, research and students’ overall higher education experience. Priority areas will be information and communications technology, laboratories, libraries and student study spaces, teaching spaces and student amenities (Higher Education 2020 Newsletter, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace relations (DEEWR), Issue 2, May 2008).

The purpose of this briefing paper is to highlight the need for investment in facilities for coursework and research postgraduate students, and to assist universities in adopting an enlightened approach to the allocation of their share of infrastructure funding.

Attachment: CAPA Paper

The stage is set for a series of important reforms in higher education, with a range of reports due between now and the end of the year.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) has published a summary of important developments for postgraduate students in an Issues Paper released today.

The issues paper is available via the link below: