Media Release: Funding boost a good start to the Australian ideas revolution. For Immediate Release
21 December 2016 – The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations welcomes the $76 million in increased funding to research training at Australian universities as a good first step to truly sparking the ideas revolution in Australia.
A $50 million boost to encourage industry engagement in research training will ensure better funded research projects which, at the moment, is sorely needed in Australian Universities.
While the boost in funding for applied research is welcome the funding tap for blue sky research needs to be turned on. Without blue sky research the smart ideas that will fuel the innovation agenda will be short lived.
“Blue sky research is the basis of which all applied research grows.” Said 2017 CAPA President, Mr Peter Derbyshire. “Research Training is the best opportunity for blue sky research to occur. When a HDR student undertakes blue sky research as part of their training they go out into the innovation sector full of new ideas ready to apply.”
CAPA recognizes the need for research training students to be given the opportunity to better engage with industry and be prepared for the workforce outside of academia. The expansion of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute internship program to 1,400 placements provides students with an excellent opportunity to develop the skills needed in the changing PhD.
“We welcome this increase in funding but also urge the Federal Government to not stop there” said Mr Derbyshire. “Increasing funding for industry based research training is essential but we need to ensure that these opportunities extend to all research training disciplines.”
The changes to Research Training funding, expected implementation of the ACOLA recommendations, and now an increase in funding for industry engagement is a great start but we can’t forget the blue sky research that spawns the ideas and the need for industry engagement across all research disciplines.
END.
For comment: Peter Derbyshire, current Western Branch President and incoming National President, CAPA, westbranch@capa.edu.au
Democratic governance at South Australian universities is threatened by proposed changes that will directly decrease the number of elected staff and student members on University Council, the highest governing body. The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) stands united with the affected South Australian Universities including its affiliate the Student Representative Council (Adelaide) Inc and condemns any attempt to decrease the number of elected members on university governing bodies.
Proposed changes to the University of Adelaide Act are currently being considered by the South Australian government to trim the number of elected representatives by five while the number of appointed members of University Council remain untouched. Analogous legislation is also up for discussion that would see similar changes at Flinders University.
“It is by no coincidence that the number of appointed members is unchanged. These proposed changes reflect nationwide campaigns to radically decrease or even eliminate the number of elected members of these councils in their pursuit of corporatisation,” said Student Representative Council President Mark Pace.
University Councils or Senates traditionally represent a cross-section of the university community. Elected academic and professional staff and student representatives should make up significant proportions of the membership of these bodies, allowing all members of the community to contribute to the strategic direction of the University. In Victoria similar legislation from 2012 was recently overturned after finding it decreased student and staff focused decision making.
Incoming CAPA Central Region President, Richard Matthews says the changes are not just undemocratic but are an attack on Academic Freedom. “There is a nationwide program of erosion aimed at centralising all functions of university councils and senates in the Vice Chancellor of these institutions. We know that universities are not businesses and the input from academics and students is required to ensure the direction of the academy meets the needs of society as a whole. This is what Academic Freedom is all about. These changes erode that freedom.” he said.
“CAPA will always stand by its affiliates and the importance of student involvement at all levels of university decision making. The Adelaide University Student Representative Council condemns any attempt to reduce the number of professional or academic staff, union officials, or students on University Council and believes that Adelaide University’s highest governing body must be transparent to keep the university community aware and involved in its decisions,” Mr Matthews said.
“CAPA Central Region will work to ensure representation on university governing bodies remains equal with students and staff having equal weight to those appointed by business types.”
For comment contact incoming CAPA Central Region Branch President:
Mr Richard Matthews
CentralBranch@capa.edu.au
0414 275 570
Media release: Taxing university student loans is not the answer
5 December 2016 – The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) condemns the idea of a loan fee proposed by the Grattan Institute [1] to make money from Australia’s university students.
Justification for a loan fee relies on the myth that the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is unsustainable. However, given the recent data from the ABS on Higher Education enrolments [2], it is clear the student numbers are steadying after the introduction of the demand driven system.
The idea of a loan fee suggests that students do not already wish to avoid crippling debt where possible. Subsidising upfront or early repayment of HELP debt is a much better way to encourage payment from those students who have the means to pay early.
Attaching a 15% administration tax on HELP loans will only provide theoretical savings. In reality it will balloon out the national HELP scheme by $700 million and continue to hide the true cost of higher education.
“If the concern is about managing the national HELP debt then policy should focus on encouraging investment in universities to create the innovative jobs of the future and improving employment outcomes,” says Peter Derbyshire, the incoming CAPA National President.
So called ‘bad debt’ has been an ongoing concern of the HELP loan scheme but adding a $700 million administration tax is counterintuitive if the Federal Government really wants these loans repaid.
Furthermore, an administration tax, which does not add any value to higher education, will discourage higher education participation for students from low socio-economic backgrounds.
“Slugging students a fee for using HELP loans would be like slugging patients with a GP-fee increase without the money going back into healthcare. It is time for innovative thinking when it comes to higher education funding policy, not more fee rhetoric,” Mr Derbyshire says.
END
For comment: Peter Derbyshire, current Western Branch President and incoming National President, CAPA, westbranch@capa.edu.au
[1] Grattan Institute 2016, ‘Shared interest: A universal loan fee for HELP’, <https://grattan.edu.au/report/shared-interest-a-universal-loan-fee-for-help/>
[2] Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016, ‘Education and Work, Australia, May 2016’, < http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6227.0>
Media release: CAPA elects new office bearers for 2017
28 November 2016 – The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) is pleased to announce the election of a new team of office bearers for 2017.
The incoming team will be headed by Peter Derbyshire of the University of Western Australia, who plans to prioritise the issue of student poverty.
“I intend to lobby for income support for all postgraduate coursework students, and for research students who do not have scholarships. I will also work towards increasing CAPA’s research and engagement capacity across the sector,” he said.
The CAPA Equity Committee will be led by Vice President (Equity) Vibol Hy.
“CAPA Equity with its new committee is ready to represent postgraduate students at a national level to push for greater equality in education. Issues such as mental illness, discrimination and financial hardship disproportionately affect students that come from equity groups,” he said.
“CAPA acts as a national body that will lobby for all postgraduate students that face disadvantage. We think it is vital to support postgraduate students that are most vulnerable in the university sector. CAPA Equity will be launching national campaigns fighting for student rights and ensure universities are held accountable for inequitable practices.”
The CAPA National Operations Committee, which coordinates national campaigns and promotes engagement with affiliates, will be under the leadership of Vice President (National Operations Committee) Dylan Styles.
Speaking on behalf of the National Operations Committee, Dylan Styles said, “We are excited to support our postgraduate contingent with lobbying and engaging with university and government groups, in order to build quality student representation. We aim to play an active role within the state elections being held in 2017. We look forward to building campaigns around the welfare of postgraduate students, including on accessible accommodation for students and securing transport concession cards for all domestic and international students nationwide.”
All positions were filled in the CAPA elections, with the exception of Queer Officer, for which a by-election will be held.
The new team, who were elected at the Annual Council Meeting hosted by Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association, commence their term on the first of January.
Full list of 2017 CAPA office bearers:
Executive committee:
National President: Peter Derbyshire
Vice President (National Operations Committee): Dylan Styles
Vice President (Equity): Vibol Hy
General Secretary: Natasha Abrahams
Policy and Research Advisor: Simon Burnett
Media Officer: Rebecca Johnson
Equity Committee:
Disabilities Officer: Joanne Ruksenas
Women’s Officer: Joanne Ruksenas
International Officer: Alex Yao
Queer Officer: Vacant position, pending by-election
National Operations Committee:
Western Branch President: Diane Smith
Eastern Branch President: Anish Saini
South East Branch President: Swathi Shiva
Central Branch President: Richard Matthews
Northern Branch President: Brittany McCormack
Note that the position of NATSIPA Liaison Officer, who sits on all committees, will be elected at the NATSIPA ACM early next year.
ENDS
For comment: Peter Derbyshire, current Western Branch President and incoming National President, CAPA, westbranch@capa.edu.au
The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.
The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.
The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.
The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.
The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.
MEDIA RELEASE: CAPA generally endorses ACOLA Review recommendations
MEDIA RELEASE- CAPA GENERALLY ENDORSES ACOLA REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS
18 April 2016–
The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes the release of the long awaited ACOLA Review into Research Training. The report lends significant support to issues that CAPA has been calling attention towards for the last decade, particularly regarding the income support levels and length of the Australian Postgraduate Award. The report recommends that the length and amount of the APA be left to the discretion of individual universities, subject to minimum values- which CAPA believes ought to be at least the minimum wage.
The report also recommends that specific higher value scholarships be created for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to recognise their uniquely different financial circumstances upon entering the research training system. CAPA welcomes this recommendation as a concrete measure to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in Higher Degrees by Research qualifications. CAPA also strongly supports the recommendations made to create joint academic appointments during the course of HDR degrees for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, so as to ensure that the university sector is able to attract and keep Aboriginal students in the academy.
As highlighted in CAPA’s 2016 Federal Budget Submission, industry placements funded by the Commonwealth are a critical part of improving industry engagement with research and it is encouraging to see that this has been given strong support by the review. CAPA looks forward to working with universities and the Commonwealth to create an agency charged with the management of this crucial element in the research training system.
Finally, CAPA strongly endorses the need for more data on the outcomes of HDR candidates and their five to ten year employment prospects. CAPA believes that longitudinal studies would result in much higher quality data, which could then be utilised more effectively by the higher education sector to ensure better outcomes for HDR candidates. Furthermore, the transparency of these datasets to prospective HDR candidates is absolutely central to the future success and sustainability of Australia’s research training system.
CAPA National President Jim Smith says, “The review sets the scene for significant change in the research training system among Australian universities. What remains to be seen is if Vice-Chancellors and the Commonwealth government are actually willing to step up to the plate and provide adequate resourcing to support the changes recommended by the review.”
ENDS
For comment: Jim Smith, National President, CAPA: 0437 006 605 / president@capa.edu.au
MEDIA RELEASE- CAPA condemns government plans for 25% increases to university student fees
3 May 2016-The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) condemns the continued uncertainty fuelled by the hollow and meaningless promises contained within the 2016/2017 Federal Budget. The Federal Budget preserves the most unjust elements of the horror Abbott budget of 2014 with its substantial cuts to teaching in higher education. However, CAPA welcomes the end of the flawed and economically irresponsible fee deregulation policy proposed in the 2014 budget.
CAPA National President Jim Smith says, “With this budget, the government has shown that it has no viable plan for higher education, instead continuing with the disastrous 25% funding cuts proposed in the 2014 Abbott budget and a shifting of that cost burden to struggling students.”
“The Government seems to be more interested in hiding its plans for higher education prior to an election, which prevents voters from making a well-informed decision at the ballot box.”
The shelving of fee deregulation (for now) is a blatant admission that the policy would bring about $100,000 degrees and dramatically accelerate inequality in Australia. The Government must commit to never bringing back the policy, and come clean on its plan prior to the July 2 election.
The cuts to the Higher Education Participation Programme (HEPP) cuts of $152.2 million over four years show that the Government is not concerned with supporting access to tertiary education for students from poorer and less privileged families. These programs have a long track record of success, having increased the proportion of students from low-SES and indigenous backgrounds. The Government’s ‘job of the future’ rhetoric clearly does not extend to those not coming from wealthy private schools.
CAPA is also concerned by massive cuts of $20.9 million over four years to the Promotion of Excellence in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education program. The Office of Learning and Teaching (OLT) projects made possible by this funding assist in developing new and innovative methods of teaching and learning at our universities. Asking students to adapt to 21st century jobs with 20th century teaching leaves the Government one hundred years behind their own rhetoric.
CAPA furthermore condemns the cuts to youth allowance payments for students entering the tertiary system. The proposed cuts of 3% will place students in an even more precarious position, with many students living week-to-week and below the poverty line on their current inadequate payments.
“CAPA calls on the Government to commit to a real consultation process that includes the voices of the students, who are key stakeholders in the sector. Instead of cutting support for equitable access programs and innovative teaching and learning initiatives, the Government needs to place equity and quality at the heart of any future policy,” concluded Mr Smith.
ENDS
For comment: Jim Smith, National President, CAPA: 0437 006 605 / president@capa.edu.au
The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes some of the key proposals in this review of the R&D Tax Incentive. The R&D Tax Incentive is the largest component of the Australian Government’s support of research and development activity in Australia.
