Regional Higher Education Engagement Forum Wednesday, April 1, 2009 Grand Hyatt, Melbourne Summary Notes
In recognition of the central role played by regional tertiary institutions, this Forum was designed to provide an opportunity to engage in the public policy debate from a distinctly regional perspective. In opening the forum, Dr Sharon Winocur indicated that the Forums program focussed on significant challenges and best practice and innovative delivery models in regional institutions and that this was particularly apposite to the new educational policy environment under debate. Given that a major focus of the Bradley Reports recommendations is the necessity of increasing participation rates which presents as a particular challenge, as host Professor David Battersby conveyed, because participation rates in regional Australia are half that of the capital cities where students are drawn from lower SES bands. This challenge was reinforced with government data demonstrating a decline in regional participation from 19% in 2001 to 17% in 2007.
For government to achieve the proposed increases and diversity of participation it is seeking, it must fund for diversity. The emphasis can not be to fund for all students in the same way because the needs are very different. The standard measure for retention and success for students does not apply to disadvantaged students. Similarly, the rate of study for regional students differs than for those in the city and has fallen as these students often need to take on more work and/or need more time to get through their studies. The lower student load numbers are not necessarily indicative of poor performance but rather of different circumstances. Finally, although there is strong support for the Bradley recommendation about full funding of research, from a regional perspective there needs to be full funding of all activities including teaching, for regional/remote/rural students that more often than not require bridging and access programs. Some excellent strategies were outlined on how to improve participation rates using senior students for example as mentors which make a difference. These equity programs are resource intensive and rely entirely on internal institutional funding.
Different forms of university/TAFE partnerships were presented that were responsive to regional requirements. For example, the Charles Sturt University/Riverina TAFE combined degree program allowed students to build up their qualifications in undertaking a fully combined degree in areas of skill shortage. The extent to which articulation flows in both directions was often underestimated. The distinctiveness of Charles Darwin University provided another example of an institution that is only five years old, dual sector and geographically and environmentally unique with a broad range of programs. Again the standard benchmarks of completion may not be as applicable at CDU where many students only do part of their qualifications but in special circumstances. These are also measures of success. CDUs partnerships with other universities and their work with communities reflect their special circumstances.
Higher education as an economic driver in regions was discussed with examples of universities being able to attract industry and investment into a region. This was further demonstrated by the University of Ballarat/IBM relationship with the establishment of a data centre in Technology Park in 1995 as Stage 1. Building on the strength and success of that relationship, the establishment of a Service Centre as Stage 2 began operations in 2003. These partnerships mature slowly and grow depending upon mutual needs and circumstances. Some ideas based on the success of this partnership were offered for future consideration.
In closing the day, Prof Battersby canvassed ideas for the next Forum. These included the exploration of case studies/SME interface; the response by regional universities to the Bradley Report; SMEs and Enterprise Connect what does that mean for regional universities; collaborative competencies; higher education and regional development in Australia; the part-time load mix overlaid by equity issues; international students and regional Australia and the particular impediments; evaluation of research agendas, especially in the regional context; proposed regulatory frameworks in tertiary education.
Dr Sharon Winocaur
Executive Director
Business/Higher Education Round Table
