Tertiary Education: A revolution to what end?

The tension at the heart of the Nelson system is that research performance is more crucial than before in determining university mission and potential; but the capacity for broad-based research will be more narrowly distributed than at any time since 1987, perhaps since 1965.

Over time there will be greater differentiation between institutions in status, resources, missions and global roles (and price). Australian universities have been too uniform.

Small specialist institutions have important potential. There's no doubt research universities need extra resources to become more globally competitive and Dr Nelson gives them those resources.

But they shouldn't have to become the University of Melbourne Grammar to do this; while forcing other institutions into narrow niches, or low-value teaching and no research, is a "diversity" with no public benefits. Meanwhile, TAFE languishes and skills shortages continue.