Expert group meets to shape Labor’s education inquiry

Labor’s expert panel on post-secondary education meets today to set terms of reference for a sweeping inquiry if Bill Shorten wins government.

Labor education shadow minister Tanya Plibersek.

In today’s Higher Ed Daily Brief: Post-secondary education inquiry, Bond Uni’s 30th anniversary, course in entrepreneurship

Labor’s inquiry takes shape

Federal Labor’s expert panel on post-secondary education meets in Canberra today to establish the terms of reference for the sweeping inquiry the party says it will establish immediately upon taking office, if it wins the next federal election. “No Australian government in history has ever looked at vocational education and unis as a whole like this,” says Labor’s education spokesperson Tanya Plibersek.

The discussion paper issued in advance of today’s meeting says the inquiry will look at improving pathways through post-secondary education, moving towards a consistent funding model across vocational and tertiary education, financial assistance and loans to students, education infrastructure, improved careers advice, access to education from regional and remote areas, improved equity and participation in education, and regulation of tertiary education.

‘No limits’ sculpture for Bond

Bond University is celebrating its forthcoming 30th anniversary by commissioning a large 6.5m high stainless steel sculpture from Gold Coast artist Ian Haggerty which will be positioned under the university’s large and well-known arch. Mr Haggerty said the work would be a departure form his usual traditional sculpting in the style of Michelangelo and Rodin.

“I want to capture the essence of the university and the concept of ‘no limits’. I believe there is no time frame or age or gender bias to any kind of continual learning,” he said. “It’s going to be a very tall sculpture — 6.5m — reaching for the universe.” Bond University opened on 15 May 1989.

Entrepreneurship course offered again

The Sydney School of Entrepreneurship (SSE) has opened applications for its next Navigator unit which is aimed at helping students build an entrepreneurial mindset and capability. It”s a ten week course with both online and face-to-face activities, curated and taught by UTS, Macquarie University, Charles Sturt University and UNSW.

The SSE says that, in the course, students will discover, map and analyse start-up ecosystems around where they live, work and study. “The experience will also connect students with like-minded entrepreneurial thinkers and doers to ‘navigate’ their own entrepreneurial success and provide direct access and valuable insights into innovation networks,” the school says.

The course is open to undergraduate students enrolled at 11 NSW universities and TAFE NSW in all locations and disciplines.