Read on Twitter
So I did this thread a while back on the need for us all to change the narrative around the university crisis.
While the debate has moved on from the NTEU framework, the underlying issues remains the same (if not worse) 1/ https://twitter.com/Dr_Joe_McIntyre/status/1261120149735628800
While the debate has moved on from the NTEU framework, the underlying issues remains the same (if not worse) 1/ https://twitter.com/Dr_Joe_McIntyre/status/1261120149735628800
The tertiary sector is losing the war in the court of public opinion. The recent federal funding restructures were portrayed as an attack on the arts (terrible enough) but we disguised a massive defunding of the whole sector 2/
This week saw 500 odd jobs lost at UNSW, exceeding those already lost at Deakin and Latrobe. This is heartbreaking - these are all great unis (where I have many fabulous friends) 3/
Note, these are just the tip of the iceberg. If international students cannot return this year, these losses will cascade through the sector 4/
As I said a few months back, this is not some accident, but a direct consequence of deliberate policy decisions.
This is the direct consequence of what is increasing look like a policy on political warfare on the sector 5/
This is the direct consequence of what is increasing look like a policy on political warfare on the sector 5/
As long as the tertiary sector accepts is position as supplicant, it will remain impoverished and so will the nations future 6/
Lets not forget how quickly this situation has changed. In 1999, Australia spent 50% of its public education funding on Universities. That figure has now fallen to around 35%. 7/ https://data.oecd.org/eduresource/spending-on-tertiary-education.htm
At the same time, universities are doing more with less. We are now ranked 7th globally for population 26-34yo with tertiary education 8/
https://www.oecd.org/education/education-at-a-glance/EAG2019_CN_AUS.pdf
https://www.oecd.org/education/education-at-a-glance/EAG2019_CN_AUS.pdf
The current crisis has been a long time coming. It was looming even before COVID, as creeping funding cuts increased pressures on every aspect of the sector. There was no fat left to cut when this crisis hit. 9/ https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/uni-rankings-slip-in-wake-of-funding-cuts-but-experts-say-australia-is-doing-ok-20180925-h15uuu
The current crisis and cuts is starting to take on an existential quality. Anxiety is very high - not least because of the disconnect between the value of the product to the nation (intellectually, economically, culturally) and the political rhetoric 10/
There is real concern that now, , the line has been crossed, and that standards and output will start to seriously slip. There is no more room for 'efficiency gains'. These cuts + COVID are going to be devastating 11/ https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jun/23/universities-warn-funding-overhaul-will-put-quality-of-education-in-australia-at-risk
We cannot tolerate an approach that 'this is the new reality', or 'funding is never coming back.' This is tacit approval of the policy. There is no 'politically neutral' option here. Accepting the status quo endorses this position 12/
Lets look to the Mining Tax. A big industry invested heavily to shape the public discourse. We need to do the same. We need to make politicians fear that treating universities with contempt will destroy them at the ballot box. 13/
Will this be easy. Nope.
Will it be quick. Nope.
But the only thing stopping it happening within five years is a failure of ambition and imagination.
The campaign needs to start now. 14/
Will it be quick. Nope.
But the only thing stopping it happening within five years is a failure of ambition and imagination.
The campaign needs to start now. 14/
Our universities are not in competition with each other. They need to act together, and help the nation realise their collective value and feel proud of them.
Remember, these are Our Universities.
The future they create is your child's future. 15/
Remember, these are Our Universities.
The future they create is your child's future. 15/
Because unless we fundamentally change this narrative, these job losses are just the beginning. Unis will close. Student's futures will be destroyed. Our 3rd largest export industry will crumble. The economic (and political) consequences will be dire. 16/
My heart breaks that this may need to happen before we see change. It makes me furious. But we can't be passive. It is time to start this fight.
Join me.
We have the power of ideas. Let's share them. End
Join me.
We have the power of ideas. Let's share them. End
