The just announced Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) funding package has been widely welcomed as an extra injection of $2.2b Australian Government funding into support for enhanced ‘translation and commercialisation’ of university research. The initiative is explained in a co-released “University Research ...
More »HEDx Podcast 44 – Using your values as your true north
Professor Carolyn Evans, VC of Griffith University and Chair of the Innovative Research Universities (IRU) group, reflects on how having a new strategy coming into 2020 served her well in providing a true north to navigate the challenges of the disruptions ...
More »Thoughts on the 110th anniversary of Alfred Wegener’s ‘continental drift’ hypothesis – opinion
On 6 January 1912 the German scientist Alfred Wegener (1 November 1880 – November 1930) first proposed his ‘continental drift’ theory (now also known as ‘plate tectonics’) at the annual meeting of the German Geological Society in Frankfurt. A few ...
More »The rise and rise of private higher education providers – opinion
Over two decades ago a new breed of private provider began to emerge in the highereducation sector. These were profit-driven, competitive and internationally ambitious organisations aimed at the market segment of potential students most unlikely or unable to attend full-time ...
More »Are universities beacons of hope, optimism or innovation? Opinion
The start of year three of a global pandemic, with a new variant and all of its ramifications, is heightening concern among our leaders, staff, students and partners in universities. It is highlighting how feelings differ from earlier years. It is ...
More »The skills we need for the future we want: Part 1 – Opinion
The future we want will not fall from the sky. Like any period of great challenge that we have had to confront, it will take careful planning, sound strategy, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose if we are to ...
More »Journey of discovery: challenges of the pandemic reignite VC’s desire to lead
Harlene Hayne has a unique perspective on the effects of the pandemic on higher education. After guiding The University of Otago through most of the challenges of the past two years, she crossed the ditch and took up the reins ...
More »Socratic ‘I Know Nothing’ v Socrates as expert in the Crito and Phaedo: Commemorating World Philosophy Day 2021 – opinion
World Philosophy Day 2021 falls on 18 November. Commemorated since 2005 world-wide, it is quite close to the birthdays of theologian and Christian philosopher (Saint) Augustine (13 November 354–28 August 430) and philosopher Baruch Spinoza (24 November 1632–21 February 1677). ...
More »How does a university of enterprise operate and engage its stakeholders? opinion
A university of enterprise actively seeks to give voice to, and engage, all stakeholders. Its leadership team visibly and actively seeks to incorporate the views of its customers in plans for the future – and are not afraid of the ...
More »The higher education experience is changing for good: opinion
Steve Jobs once said: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards.” Looking back, 2020/21 was a time of dramatic shift in universities. International student income had propelled research growth, raising our performance in ...
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