University mergers could be on the table as an independent review of the state’s higher education system is set to canvass prospective changes to the sector’s structure.
University mergers could be on the table as an independent review of the state’s higher education system launched today canvasses prospective changes to the sector’s structure.
Former James Cook University vice chancellor Sandra Harding will lead a four-member panel tasked with examining the financial sustainability and overall performance of the state’s public universities, with the review’s terms of reference to include examining models that can boost international student enrollments and ensure ongoing financial sustainability.
Other panel members will include former Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Ian Wat, former Western Sydney University chancellor Peter Shergold and University of Adelaide arts faculty executive dean John Williams.
Their work is expected to be completed by the second half of this year.
It comes as the federal government yesterday released the discussion paper for its own Universities Accord, which is examining similar questions at a national level.
Addressing media this morning, Education Minister Tony Buti framed the impetus for structural change as a response to WA’s declining share of international students and competitive research grants, as well as stagnation in the rate of domestic enrollments.
He was suitably coy when pressed on the potential for university mergers a la the University of Perth, a four-way merger previously floated by chief scientist Peter Klinken.
“We will see what the review comes up with and then we’ll go forward from that,” he said.
This morning’s announcement was met with some degree of caution from university executives, with Curtin University vice chancellor Harlene Hayne welcoming the opportunity to participate in the review and ‘detail Curtin’s successes across a range of activity’.
Murdoch University vice chancellor Andrew Deeks similarly welcomed the opportunity to participate but suggested the review be conducted after the federal government completes its own accord.
Dr Buti however argued such a move was unnecessary.
“This review is looking at Western Australia,” he said.
“We will be working alongside the national review, we’ll be taking their views into consideration, but this is a different review. This is on the structure of our universities. That national review is a much wider task and has a greater scope of remit than our current review.”
Today’s news also comes as the University of South Australia and University of Adelaide have begun working on a merger with a view towards establishing a prospective Adelaide University.
Such an institution was a key election commitment of SA Labor and has been supported by the federal government.
Professor Klinken last month told Business News the merger could motivate a similar process in WA, with the prospect of the University of Western Australia being pushed further down global rankings a key impetus.
League table positions haven't always been a popular topic with university administrators, though, with Professor Deeks this morning saying they had at times ‘obscured’ the actual performance of the state’s universities.
Dr Buti disagreed with that position when put to him earlier today.
“I have a lot of respect for Professor Deeks,” he said.
“I can assure you, as a former student and former academic, rankings are very important.”