Charles Darwin University among six institutions calling for paid student placements

A Territory university’s ‘big ideas’ are set to put it on the map as an institute of national importance as it calls for paid placements for its students.

A Territory university has joined the call to offer students paid placements in an effort to make higher education more accessible and afford better outcomes for employers.

Charles Darwin University was among six dual-sector universities calling on the federal government to ensure students undergo paid industry work before graduating.

Vice-Chancellor professor Scott Bowman said many students – such as those studying health or education – complete placements as part of their courses but are not paid for their work.

“That’s fine for some of them, but there is probably some scope for remuneration,” he said.

“It’s also useful for employers as well, because there’ll be people that are really geared up for working for them as well as learning.”

Mr Bowman likened the proposed system to paid apprenticeships paired with TAFE courses.

The submission to the Australian Universities Accord was co-signed by Central Queensland University, Federation University, RMIT, Swinburne University of Technology, and Victoria University.

Charles Darwin University vice-chancellor professor Scott Bowman shares the details of two submissions and said it was the first opportunity for major changes to Australian education in 20 years. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

In a separate submission to the AUA, Mr Bowman said the university’s “unparalleled position” in the NT was critical to Australia’s food, energy, and water security, biodiversity, and defence.

“The Northern Territory is important for the success of the whole of Australia, so it’s really important that we have this university that can offer training and education and research,” he said.

But when it takes upwards of 700,000 people to operate a university, and the NT has a population of just 250,000, Mr Bowman said CDU’s call for a five-year National Institute Grant in its submission the AUA was appropriate.

“The other university that operates like that is the Australian National University, and that’s seen of such national importance with the work it does in all sorts of strategic issues,” he said.

“It’s got the Defence Strategic Academy and all sorts of different academies, which probably would lose money but the government recognises it’s important for a university to be doing this work, so it gives them security.

“We’re saying that this university is of national importance, please treat us like that.”

CDU also called on the federal government to uncap student places for demand-driven courses and embed First Nations knowledges in curricula.

Mr Bowman said CDU was already leading the way by intertwining western and First Nations knowledges throughout its courses.

“We’re doing a lot in health – when we get our new medical degree, there will be whole sections on traditional healing and spiritual healing,” Mr Bowman said by way of example.

“It’s really important for doctors to understand that, because their patients are going to be coming with that.”

Charles Darwin University students could soon be paid to go on placement, as well as access First Nations knowledges throughout their coursework.

Mr Bowman said submissions to the AUA’s 2022-23 review was the first “big chance” for educational institutions in about 20 years.

“(The federal government) really wants to do something with tertiary education, and this is the big chance,” he said.

“They’re really listening, they’re looking for big ideas, they’re looking to do things differently.

“There is a real opportunity here, which won’t come along for another 20 years.”