UTAS welcomes ‘broad recognition’ of STEM investment needs, as academics warn of reputation risks

UTAS risked losing its hard-won reputation for educational excellence by moving its Sandy Bay STEM operations into downsized city premises, a group of academics has warned.

Professor Jim Reid hands Member for Clark, Madeleine Ogilvie, a letter co-signed by 55 former and current UTAS academics. Picture: Duncan Abey

The University of Tasmania risked losing its hard-won reputation for educational excellence – and overall student experience – by moving its Sandy Bay STEM operations into downsized CBD premises, a leading group of academics has warned.

After delivering a co-signed letter of support to the government for its efforts to increase parliamentary oversight of any sale of UTAS land, Professor Jim Reid urged the university to invest in refurbishing its existing STEM facilities for the sake of future students.

The letter, addressed to Premier Jeremy Rockliff and handed to Minister Madeleine Ogilvie on Monday, highlighted the importance of UTAS to the state.

The UTAS campus at Sandy Bay. Picture: supplied

“Tasmania needs a strong and successful university to be the preferred choice of all Tasmanians for their higher education,” the letter, signed by 55 former and current academics, read.

“We strongly support your initiatives to protect the most important physical asset of our university, the campus at Sandy Bay, and to refurbish STEM facilities there as part of a vibrant multidisciplinary campus.”

Professor Reid said that maintaining the university’s world-class reputation was essential in drawing more local, national, and international students through its doors.

“We need excellent STEM facilities to do that, and we think the facilities at the campus at Sandy Bay are good in size and were purpose-built for the job they’re doing,” he said.

Minister Ogilvie welcomed receipt of the letter, saying it was important to hear the views of academics and researchers about how to best deliver world-class tertiary education in Tasmania.

Ms Ogilvie said the government’s University of Tasmania (Protection of Land) Bill, tabled in June, would offer increased transparency about any sales of the Sandy Bay site.

And the Minister called on the University to provide details of any new STEM facilities it planned to build in Hobart’s CBD,

“Our university is incredibly important, and the passion with which we’re hearing today this letter produced is really quite something,” Ms Ogilvie said.

“The University at Sandy Bay is home base, and it is important what happens there.

“I’m on record as being a champion for STEM and ICT, and for creating the sorts of jobs that we need as a state to grow our economy.

“So let’s see a proposal, let’s have that conversation, and let’s move forward together.”

UTAS Pro Vice-Chancellor for Campus Life, Professor Nicholas Farrelly, told the Mercury that contemporary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics facilities Tasmania’s south were critical for our students and staff alike, and that the university welcomed “broad recognition” that significant investment was urgently needed.

“As we have said previously, it is critical that these decisions are guided by the expertise and

experience of those who will teach, research, and learn in any new STEM facilities, and also

by our strategy to support STEM in Tasmania,” Prof Farrelly said.

“We are currently working with colleagues and students in the College of Sciences and Engineering to build a picture of the future which will inform our next steps.”

The co-signed letter came days after UTAS management hosted College of Sciences and Engineering staff for a “location agnostic” discussion about the future requirements of the university’s STEM facilities.

Originally published as UTAS welcomes ‘broad recognition’ of STEM investment needs, as academics warn of reputation risks