Public investment in higher education would pay off for the whole nation

The AVCC argues that there needs to be a greater investment in our sector via an increase in base funding and a better indexation of the base block grants. It is not unreasonable to propose that universities are indexed at the same level as school grants.

But, we recognise that our sector is far from being alone in wanting more investment support from the federal government. We recognise the harsh reality that, in every budget consideration, there must be a political imperative, of national priorities – a measure against all else that competes for the same tax dollars.

Indeed, I believe there is now a compelling case as to why the university sector needs the investment of a new funding package. It needs to meet the challenge of the diverse system we currently have, and must also grow to meet the demands of the future.

As many of you would be aware, the AVCC has detailed its response to the Nelson Review – in ‘Forward From Crossroads’ in the last few days.

It is the AVCC’s position that the level of public and private investment should be set to reach 2 per cent of GDP by 2020. Without this level of investment, we will not be able to achieve the other vision elements concerning access, effectiveness or research and internationalisation.

Put very simply, there is widespread consensus – within the higher education system, government and the broader community – that the current funding and regulatory framework for universities is simply unsustainable. It is inhibiting institutional growth and diversification. And it is beginning to threaten the quality of education our universities are able to offer.

International competitiveness must be our benchmark.

That the review, and the subsequent debate, has often focused on funding is, in many ways inevitable. But of course there are many other pieces to this complex jigsaw that is the higher education sector. And like a jigsaw, the picture is not complete if even one piece is missing.

International Education and the Review

If we turn our attention to international education, we know that it too is an integral part of the complex picture that is higher education.

The internationalisation of our universities – through our courses, our research, and provision of student movement in both directions – must continue to develop. This requires further support for universities international activities, reduced barriers to international students, and active measures to increase substantially the number of Australian students including international education in their degree.

The review of higher education provides an opportunity to consider the international activities of universities together with their traditional roles in teaching and research for Australians. It allows us to improve the effective interaction between the international and domestic roles of universities to the benefit of both.

Without an effective international perspective, Australia and Australians will not be prepared to take advantage of international opportunities. Or even worse, lack of an international perspective could actively lead Australia to lose its existing wealth and general prosperity.