Cash crisis as universities change course

Canberra Times 15 April 2012

More people want to be doctors, nurses and dentists, but a new analysis warns that universities are going to struggle to cover the cost of teaching them, writes Emma Macdonald for Canberra Times.

Research shows there has been a massive increase in demand for health courses over the past decade. Training for these courses are the most expensive to run. A Group of Eight research paper into shifting demand in disciplines warns of a potential A$4 billion (US$4 billion) gap between federal funding and the cost of course delivery. Meanwhile, cheaper courses to run, such as information technology, management and commerce, have fallen in popularity.

The paper questions how this rise in expenses will be paid for – calling on the government to deregulate fees in the same way it has deregulated university places, so students will pay a greater share when they enrol in more expensive courses.

Group of Eight Executive Director Michael Gallagher said the government had failed to plan for a potential financial double-whammy for universities, arising from huge enrolment growth plus the fact that growth was concentrated in the more expensive courses.
Full report on the Canberra Times site

Receive UWN's free weekly e-newsletters

Sponsored Article

Getting to net zero, one community at a time

University of Victoria staff

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation is a University of Victoria-led collaborative initiative that brings together over 40 partners, including Indigenous knowledge keepers and community leaders, to create innovative place-based solutions for energy system transformation.

Promoted by the University of Victoria.

Sponsored Article

Africa pays a premium for global climate change sluggishness

Stellenbosch University staff

Africa needs to stop paying the price for the rest of the world’s recalcitrance to act fast enough in response to the irrefutable conclusions that climate change is real and that the impact of global warming could be devasting, says Professor Guy Midgley, interim director of the School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Promoted by the University of Victoria.

Sponsored Article

Innovations to ensure energy savings in a hot, arid climate

UAE University staff

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates University have shown that the potential benefits of building energy savings and a cooler indoor environment, as well as improved cooling effect on air temperature at pedestrian level, strongly indicate that a cool roof with high solar reflectance and albedo is a promising strategy for buildings in regions with hot, arid climates.

Promoted by United Arab Emirates University.

Sponsored Article

A new global university ranking with an ethical mission

Aftab Dean

A new university ranking system aims to serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in higher education, ensuring that universities create an environment grounded in integrity and sustainability that inspires and supports students and staff in the development of novel solutions to global challenges.

Promoted by Globethics.net.

Sponsored Article

SDG progress report launches university into new territory

University of Pretoria staff

In the publication of its first progress report on its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, the University of Pretoria is navigating new territory at the same time as it is acknowledging its clear stewardship role in protecting the environment and biodiversity.

Promoted by the University of Pretoria.