Selling the new performance-based funding scheme for the university sector started in Wollongong on Wednesday.
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The charm offensive was led by Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan and University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor Paul Wellings.
Professor Wellings chaired the expert panel of five vice-chancellors who devised the model which will require universities to demonstrate success across four new performance measures to unlock funding increases from 2020.
But performance measures have been met with scepticism from some in the higher education sector, who have warned of the potential for unintended consequences, unfairness and the difficulty of implementing effective indicators.
Mr Tehan said being able to adjust the model for unforeseen circumstances over time was a big plus.
It aims to encourage assessment of teaching quality at universities and spur improved performance.
But the National Union of Students fears the scheme is "inadequate to improve the dire funding situation for universities".
The NUS said the $80 million worth of funding announced on Wednesday comes two years after the $2.2 billion funding freeze that was introduced in 2017.
"This government is responsible for decimating higher education funding in the past few years and this performance-based funding scheme is inadequate in light of the chronic underfunding of universities.
This government is responsible for decimating higher education funding in the past few years and this performance-based funding scheme is inadequate in light of the chronic underfunding of universities.
- NUS president Desiree Cai
"At the very least, Minister Tehan needs to restore funding to what it was before the $2.2 billion funding cut introduced in the funding freeze from 2017," NUS president Desiree Cai said.
While it was positive to see student success at the core of the performance measures, NUS stressed a holistic approach by the sector and government was necessary to improve student and graduate outcomes.
"Universities must have funding restored to improve vital services on campus for students like counselling, academic support and career services," Ms Cai said.
"But the government must also step up to support students. They need to increase Youth Allowance and student income support, and tackle job insecurity and underemployment in the workforce.
"Without this, there won't be significant improvement to 'student success'."
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
