Australia overhauling university sector
Australia’s 38 public universities face upheaval on a scale not experienced in 20 years. The government wants to boost the number of young Australians with bachelor degrees from 32 per cent of the population to 40 per cent over the next 15 years. Education Minister Julia Gillard pointed to participation rate targets in Germany of 40 per cent, Sweden and the UK at 50 per cent and Ireland at 72 per cent. “In an era when investment in knowledge and skills promises to be the ultimate determinant of national and individual prosperity, Australia is losing ground against our competitors,” Gillard said. She said too few youth from disadvantaged backgrounds enroll in higher education, and completion rates — less than 75 per cent finish – are too low.
– University World News
No-frills U gains ground
More U.S. schools are considering no-frills education as the economy worsens and students complain about costs. A private university in New Hampshire is offering a 50 per cent cut in tuition if students shift to a satellite campus and forgo amenities. One think tank estimates the cost of higher education has been increasing about three per cent above inflation. Proposals include: accelerated year-round bachelor programs (complete four years in three), and eliminating sports teams, extra-curriculars, super gymnasiums, and replacing dorms with apartment-style living. Electives would be cut, class sizes would rise and high-salary profs doing cutting-edge research eliminated.
– Philadelphia Inquirer
University access, cost among Canadians’ worries
A Canadian Council on Learning survey says 49 per cent of Canadians believe post-secondary institutions do a good or excellent job of ensuring all qualified students are able to attend. As well, 63 per cent feel students from low-income families have less of an opportunity to get a higher education; and 82 per cent believe students have to borrow too much to pay for school. At the same time, the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations commissioned a poll that suggests affordability of post-secondary education ranks second only to the economy in Ontarians’ concerns.
Joint venture digital media graduate school planned
Ryerson University, and the universities of Toronto and Waterloo are exploring the creation of a digital media graduate school in downtown Toronto. The joint venture could be running in less than two years and link students to business. The universities have already discussed the proposed program with the Ontario government, and have taken the idea to businesses such as banks and technology firms.
– Globe and Mail