Archived News for Education Sector Professionals
The Federal Government has launched its $558 million National Workforce Development Fund with the aim of providing 130,000 Australians with the opportunity to learn new skills for sectors that are currently experiencing skills shortages.
The Fund, to be managed by the new Workforce and Productivity Agency once it is established in 2012, will provide $558 million over four years, with $148 million available during 2011-2012.
Under the fund, individual enterprises will be able to make bids to their respective Industry Skills Councils to secure matched funding to train their current or prospective workforce.
Queensland merger of CQU and CQIT gets go ahead
The Queensland State Government has announced its approval of the merger of Central Queensland University (CQU) and Central Queensland Institute of TAFE (CQIT).
Study to assess school kitchen garden program
The Australian Health Services Research Institute (AHSRI) at the University of Wollongong has won a bid to evaluate the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden National Project that aims to positively influence food choices among children.
Universities offer alternative access program
The University of New England and the University of Sydney have launched a new program to improve access to higher education, with the first students under the ‘Alternative Entry Pathway’ to commence in 2012.
Under the ‘Alternative Entry Pathway’ opportunity, which will be offered jointly by the partner universities, current Year 12 students from more than 60 eligible high schools in Sydney and on the NSW coast (full list available at http://www.une.edu.au/usyd) can apply to study the first year of selected degrees on campus at the University of New England.
In year two of their degree students can transition to the University of Sydney, provided they have made satisfactory progress in their first year of study in approved majors and units at the University of New England.
The Alternative Entry Pathway relies on a school’s assessment of a student’s ability to cope with study at university, rather than their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or equivalent. The assessment is based on personal attributes, such as the student’s ability to work and learn independently, as well as a judgment about the student’s potential for academic success at university.
The intention of the arrangement is to grant greater access for students who are eligible for Youth Allowance, who are disadvantaged by their background or geographic location, and who are assessed to be capable of achieving academic success.
For each Alternative Entry Pathway student, both institutions will be offering additional academic support to facilitate a transition to university study. Scholarships and sponsorships are also available.
NSW to abolish Year 10 certificate
New South Wales Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli has announced that the School Certificate will be abolished as of 2012.
Report recommends merger of Canberra higher ed institutions
The ACT Government has published a report into the future of the University of Canberra (UC) and the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT), finding that given the significant changes in national tertiary education, it is not an option for Canberra's CIT and UC to continue to operate in their current form.
New chair of China-Australia alliance
The University of Newcastle’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and Global Relations Professor Kevin McConkey has been appointed to chair the Shangri-La University Alliance (SUA).
Push to reduce regional HECS charges
University of New England vice-chancellor Jim Barber has called on the Federal Government to consider reducing HECS charges for students at regional universities in the event of price deregulation.
Macquarie announces job cuts as visas fall
Macquarie University has announced plans to cut 70 jobs from its payroll due to dwindling international enrolments for 2012 semesters.
New Australia-India education linkages
New exchange programs for academics and college principals were among a range of initiatives designed to foster higher education links between Australia and India announced by Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans.
TEQSA launched
The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has launched, with the Federal Government expressing its confidence in the new agency in describing ‘a new era of quality’ for higher education in Australia.
Tasmania to move to four term school year
The Tasmanian State government has announced that all state schools will move to a four term year as of 2013.
Queensland Premier to answer public questions on education
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has announced plans to answer questions from the public about the state of Queensland, including the State Government’s Flying Start initiative, during People’s Question Time on Friday 12th August.
NCVER publishes apprentices and trainees statistics
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has published its research into apprentices and trainees for the 2010 year.
Go8 backs Australian Technology Network research measure
The Australian Technology Network has received backing from the Group of Eight universities to establish a measure of research that could eventually determine funding in the future for the field.
Chaplaincy program 'must improve'
The Commonwealth Ombudsman has urged the Federal Government to improve the management and oversight of the $222 million National School Chaplaincy Program.
RMIT and Oxfam to produce climate change toolkit
RMIT University has announced a partnership with Oxfam Australia to produce a toolkit that will assist communities in the Asia-Pacific region adapt and respond to climate change.
Catholic University buys $53 million Sydney tower
The Australian Catholic University has spent $53 million in purchasing a North Sydney office tower as it prepares to up its student intake this year.
Australian universities fail to impress Indian students
Indian students are increasingly concerned by a perceived decline in quality of education and the prevalence of racism in Australia according to findings published by Canadian group Higher Education Strategy Association.
$20 million for Victorian regional students
The Victorian Government has announced a $20 million package aimed at facilitating easier access to higher education for the state’s regional students.
New group to advise on IT in education
The School Education Minister Peter Garrett has announced the creation of a new advisory group of education and IT experts to provide the Australian Government with advice on the next steps towards transforming teaching and learning through technology.