Fresh doubt has been cast on the admission of foreign students into Australian universities, with a new study revealing academic gatekeepers are recklessly abusing a blunt instrument that fails to properly gauge basic English language skills.
Higher education
Education: researchers, regional universities rejoice
Within seconds of Wayne Swan finishing his budget speech, medical researchers were celebrating. And there was good news for regional universities too, writes Erica Cervini.
ACU emails endorsing anti-abortion group: students
Australian Catholic University has been accused of endorsing the views of a pro-life organisation after two bulk emails were sent out to students yesterday advertising an upcoming Right To Life fundraiser. Students say it’s inappropriate.
Rundle’s UK: student protests peaceful, or piss weak, depending on your politics
Down at Thirty Millbank beside the grey and misty Thames, they’re still cleaning up the glass and metal, sprayed all around by last week’s demonstration against tuition fees.
Tougher test for would-be Aussie migrants to hit universities hard
A federal government decision last week to further tighten the eligibility requirements for foreigners seeking permanent residency seems certain to have a serious impact on the already faltering recruitment of overseas students, especially those from China and India, writes Geoff Maslen
University reps appalled by draft legislation at confidential briefing
A special government briefing in Canberra on Tuesday and Wednesday on crucial legislation covering the operations of post-secondary education institutions across the country turned out to be a debacle, writes higher education expert Geoff Maslen.
Visa changes expose higher education funding problems
For too long we’ve funded higher education through a reliance on foreign students. Now the costs of that reliance are becoming clear.
Daily Proposition: Take a course at Stanford
As someone whose education ended up more lantana patch than Ivy League, Crikey reader Jim Forbes appreciates Stanford University’s Stanford to Go podcasts. They cover a phenomenal spread of academic topics and disciplines.
Melbourne Uni backflip won’t save VCA
The University of Melbourne’s humiliating backflip on the Victorian College of the Arts and the resignation of chief Melbourne Model spruiker Sharman Pretty might not be enough to save the icon from further financial strife, activists say.
Higher education: no money, no strategy — has Rudd dropped the ball?
Last year’s Budget was accompanied by a flurry of media releases from Julia Gillard trumpeting funding measures for higher education. This year there’s deafening silence, writes Erica Cervini.
So what does Glyn Davis actually do?
Melbourne Uni’s Peter McPhee is retiring less than two years into his three year contract. Will vice-chancellor Glyn Davis resume at least some of McPhee’s duties? asks Erica Cervini.
Labor’s higher education plan: questions for Stephen Smith
There a few key elements to winning a federal election, and good policy is undoubtedly among them. With Labor pitching for the top job, their policies will come under increasing scutiny as polling day approaches. Here, Crikey asks Stephen Smith for details on Labor’s tertiary education plan.
