Professor James A. McWha Vice-Chancellor and President Keynote Address to the AC21 International Forum 21 October 2010

1. Professor James A. McWhaVice-Chancellor and PresidentKeynote Address to the AC21 International Forum21 October 2010 World class universitiesor a world class system:which way for Australia?

2. World class universities Oxford … Cambridge … Yale … Harvard … University of Adelaide Chemnitz University of Technology University of Sydney University of Freiburg GadjahMada University Huazhong University of Science &Technology Jilin University Nagoya University Nanjing University National University of Laos Northeastern University Stellenbosch University Peking University Chulalongkorn University Shanghai Jiao Tong University Kasetsart University Tongji University University of Warwick University of Strasbourg North Carolina State University ~17,000 higher education institutions world-wide

3. Components of different ranking systems THE  Teaching  Research  Citations Industry Income  International Mix (Students/Staff) SJTU  International Students  Nobel/Fields  Academic Peer Review Employer Review  Faculty/Student Ratio Citations

4. Current emphases Universal • quality, access; participation Economic - developing • retaining students, building capacity Economic - developed • demand-driven; student experience

5. University Characteristics TraditionalNext Generation Management Academic Governance Corporate Activity Focus Research Teaching Orientation Staff Students Approach Structured Flexible Presence Local, physical Global, digital Major Income Governments, Student Fees Benefactors

6. Alternative Measures • Higher Education participation rates • % of population with degree • % of students from disadvantaged backgrounds • % of budget spent on outreach and community service • % of contributions to economy • % of partnerships with business and industry • % of international partnerships • Environmentally sustainable practices, reductions in footprint • Diversity and integration of student population • Social responsibility and engagement – integration with local communities • Number of arts, cultural and/or community events held • Numbers of staff and students involved in international exchanges • % of partnerships with primary and secondary schools

7. Sources of Revenue • Ranked in top 100 by Times but not in SJTU or QS: • University of Alexandria • Hong Kong University of Science and Technology • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Hong Kong Baptist University • Royal Holloway University of London

8. Declining Expenditure • Ranked in top 100 by Times but not in SJTU or QS: • University of Alexandria • Hong Kong University of Science and Technology • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Hong Kong Baptist University • Royal Holloway University of London

9. ‘We see [our universities] as the engine rooms of innovation and economic and social progress …As places to be respected and nurtured – in returnfor their continuing cooperation and hard work.’ The Hon Julia Gillard,then Minister for EducationMarch 2008

10. Government Reform Package • Student centred and demand driven. • More graduates. • National regulatory and quality agencies. • Participation targets for under-represented students. • Improve pathways. • Concentrate research activity & resources in areas of excellence. • Increased collaboration between universities and industry, including international partnerships. • Expectation of increased performance reporting.

11. Performance Measures – The Compacts Mission-based compacts will detail public funding commitments and reciprocal university commitments • greater collaboration and sectoral diversity • increased participation by under-represented groups • guide the distribution of performance-based funds • alignment of institutional activity with national priorities • increased student participation and inclusion

12. 2010 Australian Federal Election – Cabinet Reshuffle August 2010 Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Research

13. 2010 Australian Federal Election – Cabinet Reshuffle August 2010 Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Research September 2010 Minister for Jobs, Skills, and Workplace Relations Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science

14. 2010 Australian Federal Election – Cabinet Reshuffle August 2010 Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Research September 2010 Minister for Jobs, Skills, and Workplace Relations Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science September 2010 – one week on Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Research

15. “… high quality tertiary education [is] more importantthan ever before. The imperative for countries is to raise higher-level employment skills, to sustain a globally competitive research base and to improve knowledge dissemination to the benefit of society. OECD, 2008

16. International Developments China international reputation and influence; adapting to demographic change; flexible entry; massive investment. France public investment; more autonomy; increasing numbers of poor and disadvantaged students; performance-based funding South Africa National Student Financial Aid Scheme; increased public investment; loans and bursaries England More investment; student choice; access and equity; student finance and affordability.

17. The implications for Australian universities To achieve the Australian Government’s objectives: • An increase in commencing students of around 50,000 by 2013– 37% on 2009 student numbers. • Increased student number of 350,000 by 2025– 90% increase on 2009 student numbers. • An additional 18,000 staff.

18. Measuring quality • More than just access and equity • Linking student learning and educational outcomes • Bologna process but … • we have to convince Government and the public that these are meaningful and valid measures

19. The challenge for Australian universities • Do what the Government and the public wants (expects) or … • Strike out boldly; • Embrace new concepts; • Promote philanthropy; • Gain international recognition; • Create the ability for self-determination and sustainability, whether through increased investment or complete de-regulation. and more …

20. Questions • Is there a link between the excellence of an education system and individual excellence, and if so, what is it?

21. Questions • Is there a link between the excellence of an education system and individual excellence, and if so, what is it? • If the system spreads resources ever more widely, and world-class gives way to average, where do we go from there?

22. Questions • Is there a link between the excellence of an education system and individual excellence, and if so, what is it? • If the system spreads resources ever more widely, and world-class gives way to average, where do we go from there? • Is there a “third way” where Next Generation universities focussed on teaching?