Flinders Uni funding squeeze puts Italian and other courses at risk

Flinder Uni may be forced to cut courses and restructure others as it tries to make up a $10m budget shortfall.

Cuts to courses loom at Flinders University as it faces a $10m shortfall next year on its budget forecasts.

Covid-19 travel restrictions on international students and federal government funding cuts have led the university to look for new revenue and make efficiency gains.

It is considering closing its Italian courses, and restructuring geography, creative writing, archaeology and others.

Flinders vice-chancellor Colin Stirling said no decisions had been locked in but a review was in progress, particularly of courses with low enrolments.

“We are keen to explore creative solutions being suggested by staff to increase the appeal of specific courses and are engaging with stakeholders to discuss other ways to preserve specific disciplines,” Professor Stirling said.

Flinders University vice-chancellor Colin Stirling. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“For example, our drama program has been completely redesigned, with advice from industry experts, to create an exciting new course that will prepare graduates for future success across a broad range of the dramatic arts.

“Similarly, we have recently entered into a creative partnership with the Indonesian Government to ensure ongoing Indonesian language teaching at Flinders.”

In 2020, Flinders recorded a surplus of $38m on revenue of $532m.

The result was boosted by gains in research funding.

Flinders employs more than 2000 people. It has 26,000 students of whom 5000 were international in 2020.

To retain Indonesian, the Jakarta government agreed to fund a lecturer who delivers the course online while Flinders funds a support staff position on campus.

South Australia has a large Italian community, with more than 29,000 people speaking the language at home according to Census data.

An online petition to save Italian at Flinders has attracted 4000 signatures and staff and students held a small demonstration on campus on Wednesday against the cuts.

Fans of the Italian soccer team flood Adelaide venues for big games, such as the 2006 World Cup. But despite the big community, Flinders University has few students of the language.

In federal parliament this week, ALP member for Adelaide Steve Georganas called for federal support to stop Italian being closed.

“Italy is one of Australia’s major trading partners and a valuable source of foreign direct investment in Australia,” he said.

“Several Italian companies have established businesses and business operations in SA in growing hi-tech sectors, such as the aerospace industry and renewable energies.

“It is imperative that Italian and languages in general continue to be taught in Australian universities, especially given our reliance on trade in a globalised world, which is maintained by our international relations.”

Adelaide University has said it needs to cut 104 administration jobs as well as academic positions.

It will merge faculties and seek new revenue to cover an expected $47m a year shortfall from 2023.