Universities Australia has welcomed recommendations to reaffirm research as a defining feature of universities and simplify the higher education provider categories from six to four.
The recommendations of the Review of Australia’s Higher Education Provider Category Standards by Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake AO were presented to the Federal Government today.
The review proposes universities must do world standard research in at least three, or at least 30 per cent, of the broad fields of education in which it teaches – whichever is greater. This would rise to 50 per cent by 2030.
Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said it was pleasing to see such clear recognition of research as a key characteristic of universities.
“Australian universities are renowned for their world-class research, producing 2.6 per cent of all published scientific research despite having only 0.3 per cent of the world’s population,” she said.
“We especially welcome the recommendation that reinforces the nexus between teaching and research as a defining feature of an Australian university.”
Ms Jackson said the proposed changes on the level of world-class research that a university needed to do would be carefully worked through by the sector.
“We will work with Government on an implementation plan to ensure universities have time to meet any new requirements.”
Ms Jackson welcomed the proposal to simplify the current Higher Education Provider category.
“We think it makes sense to split the current category in two – given it is currently a large category that makes it difficult to differentiate between providers.”
“UA thanks Emeritus Professor Coaldrake for his detailed consultations with the sector and Education Minister Dan Tehan for listening carefully to the sector’s views on the review.”
