Think smaller to deliver a bigger economic bang for $40bn taxpayer bucks
Government, universities and businesses spend $40bn on research and development into products and services with mixed results. The solution may be to think small.
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Five reasons neither party can solve skills shortages
There are five big reasons why the training system as is cannot match skill supply to economy demand, regardless of who wins the election.
Epic fail but you actually don’t need a teaching degree to teach at uni
Things are going to get worse for those academics who worked out how to teach on the job and are too busy researching to learn how do things differently.
Unis will miss globalisation now that it has gone
The US government can fund or not fund what it likes. Suggestions the Australian government should consider the US the equivalent of the PRC are ridiculous.
Let’s call ‘research misconduct’ what it really is – fakery and fraud
Faked scientific findings can send other researchers off on dead-end trails, pursuing world-changing, lifesaving results that can’t exist. Universities must stop it before it’s too late.
Unis must stop just demanding funds and move with the times
University managements have long assumed that their control of courses and power to issue qualifications would see off competitors. Problem is that people who need a specific skill can now pick it up online for a fraction of the cost.
Seven things that matter in election education battle
The election issue for universities is a choice between more, or much more, government control. But there is one big difference.
‘Outright incompetence’: Why unis keep underpaying staff
It comes down to management indifference and union recalcitrance. It’s just easier for everybody to announce that everything is the fault of inadequate government funding.
It’s not rocket science: Universities can’t get money for nothing
If the Coalition wins the federal election the next education minister will have final say on where Australian Research Council money goes. Seem strange that this is actually an issue? Not to academics who argued hard for the present system of little oversight.
Civics needs saving, and content is key
Young Australians not engaging with democracy creates a challenge for national unity – if young people don’t know what Australia stands for, why should they believe in its values.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/stephen-matchett