In early 2008 Minister Gillard announced an independent inquiry into Australia’s Higher Education sector. Last month the Higher Education Review Panel released its Discussion Paper and is inviting submissions from student organisations.

The submission deadline is July 31st but despite being the Winter Recess, UMSU is eager to involve students in the drafting of the submission.

A Working Group of Students Council has been convened to take responsibility for the Higher Education Review submission and if you would like to be involved, or have particular ideas you would like to contribute please contact Onagh Bishop at educationacademic@union.unimelb.edu.au

The Working Group will be meeting periodically over the winter break, while also utilising the newly online ‘Melbourne Commons’ wiki.

To sign up to join ‘Melbourne Commons’ please go to www.melbournecommons.info

Please find below useful resources in the preparation of the UMSU submission. It is suggested that interested students familiarise themselves with some of these.

Higher Education Review Discussion Paper
review of australian higher education discussion paper 310KB

National Union of Students Briefing Paper
Bradley review guide for submissions 165KB

NUS Student Welfare Policy Briefing
NUS welfare policy briefing 232KB

Other Resources:

James, Richard et al. Participation and Equity: A review of the participation in higher education of people from low socioeconomic backgrounds and Indigenous people. 2008.
participation and equity 2MB

Marginson, Simon and van der Wende, Marjik. Globalisation and Higher Education: A research and policy report prepared for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. 2007.
globalisation and higher education 698KB

James, Richard et al. Australian University Student Finances: A report prepared from a national survey of students in public universities. Commissioned by the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee. 2006.
australian university student finances 1MB

James, Richard et al. Analysis of Equity Groups in Higher Education 1991-2002: A national research project analysing the performance of equity groups and whether the definitions of equity groups are still appropriate. 2004.
analysis of equity groups in higher education 464KB

McInnes, Craig and Hartley, Robyn. Managing Study and Work: The extent to which students combine full-time enrolment with substantial hours of paid work has emerged as an issue of considerable complexity for Australian universities. Institutional responses need to address how the educational experiences of students can be structured to enhance the learning outcomes. 2002.
managing study and work 427KB

James, Richard. Socioeconomic Background and Higher Education Participation: an Analysis of School Students’ Aspirations and Expectations. 2002.
socio economic background and higher education participation 281KB

Useful Links

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/higher_education/policy_issues_reviews/reviews/highered_review/default.htm#Consultations

National Union of Students
http://unistudent.com.au

Centre for the Study of Higher Education
www.cshe.unimelb.edu.au

NB: Executive Summary Papers are available for some of the above publications via the CSHE website.

If you would like to be a part of the Higher Education policy working group, please contact the Education (Academic Affairs) Office Bearer, Onagh Bishop, at educationacademic@union.unimelb.edu.au