WA lags in state government role

Western Australia’s universities have called on the State Government to take a more strategic role in guiding and supporting development of the sector.

“It’s been pretty weak here compared with Queensland,” said UWA deputy-vice chancellor Margaret Seares.

“The state government in Queensland has really engaged with the university sector in a way this Government has yet to do.”

Professor Seares said it was important to have one agency that understood the full breadth of the universities’ activities and their links with each other, with industry and with government agencies.

Curtin University vice-chancellor Lance Twomey believes the state could play a bigger role influencing Canberra’s funding decisions.

“That process isn’t something we can influence except via our state government and a huge lobbying effort,” Professor Twomey said.

“We had a small lobbying effort last time but we have to make absolutely certain that the Government speaks for WA with one voice.”

Participants in the boardroom forum agreed the state also had a big role to play in promoting WA internationally.

Sandover Pinder Architects chairman Michael Henderson, who has coordinated a range of university research projects, said: “I’m really concerned about this state and its ability to project itself in SE Asia.

“No one institution is going to be as effective as if we strengthen the relationships between the universities,” he said.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA chief executive John Langoulant said the State Government should take a more strategic approach to help higher education achieve its economic potential.

“I’ve long advocated that state governments should have strategic plans,” Mr Langoulant said.

“If they were ever to take that approach, one area they could really make a mark is higher education.”

Education and Training Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said she had already appointed two higher education consultants to help the Government develop a strategic position on universities by the end of the year.

They have specifically been asked to advise on the adequacy of the state’s current arrangements compared to other states, particularly Queensland and Victoria.

In terms of effective bidding for funded university places, Ms Ravlich threw the onus back on the universities.

“A little less competition among the universities and a little more collaboration would go a long way,” she said.