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Participation and funding in higher education: international aspects. Gerald Burke Monash Education Research Community (MERC) Global Education Systems Day, Faculty of Education Monash University 11 May 2010 gerald.burke@education.monash.edu.au. 1. Focus.
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Participation and funding in higher education: international aspects Gerald Burke Monash Education Research Community (MERC) Global Education Systems Day, Faculty of Education Monash University 11 May 2010 gerald.burke@education.monash.edu.au 1
Focus • Proportion of population participating • Public and private funding • Key issues --- illustrated by Australian reforms Some key references or sources OECD 2009, Education Today, Chapter 4 Higher Education Review of Australian Higher Education, 2008 (called the Bradley Report) UNESCO Institute for Statistics Data Centre
Australia: key issues • Australia domestic enrolments growing relatively slowly to 2008 • Concern re course quality and student experience • Real funds per student and staff-student ratios declining • International education, funds and effects • Private funding/fees high compared with OECD countries* • Importance of more graduates • for skilled workforce and • to support a civil and just society • Research funds deemed insufficient • Participation of less advantaged too low • Possible shortage of academics
Higher education revenues Australia 2008 total $18,400 million (DEEWR)
1. Expanding the system • Review of Australian Higher Education 2008 called the Bradley Report, after the Chair, Denise Bradley www.deewr.gov.au/highereducation/review/pages/reviewofaustralianhighereducationreport.aspx • entitlement funding from the Commonwealth government to enhance workforce skills and create opportunities • Government to support entry/choice by all eligible domestic students • May seek to influence distribution across fields of study • targets for participation and completion • 40% of 25-34 year olds to have degree by 2020 or 2025 – from 30% • additional funds including huge infrastructure funding
2. Assistance for disadvantaged groups • Target - lift from 16% to 20% of lowest quarter of SES • Extra funds for enrolling low social background students • Better links to TAFE and schools • Reforms to student assistance to low income students • Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy • Income contingent loans • HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP repayable when income exceeds $45,000 2010-11
3. Quality and quality assurance • New national regulator Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) for registration and audit of providers of tertiary education • Some public funding to be ‘Performance Based’ • More information published (e.g. course experience) to improve choice and reveal poor performance • Stop decline in funding per student • Improve supply of staff: more research degree completions, less casualisation, improved conditions • Improve Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
Changes affecting international students • Reform of the ESOS Act included in national regulation reform • Tightening of rules for registration, increased public information on performance of providers of training, possible moderation of assessment • Changes in immigration rules, Skilled Occupations List (SOL), points for Australian qualifications • Proposals for research scholarships, more English support, workforce orientation 19