The university has accepted 80 per cent plus of applications for voluntary redundancy

It will also close three small teaching sites in regional Queensland.  But even with these savings added to those already identified observers suggest that on the university’s estimates to date CQU will still be around $25m short of filling its $114m budget gap (CMM April 22, May 12).

But this does not necessarily mean wholesale sackings to come. VC Nick Klomp says the university is interested in alternatives to “staff separation.”

“We are looking carefully at the national negotiations between universities and the National Tertiary Education Union, as this may allow us to recover even more costs through measures other than staff separation.”

But he adds CQU will not commit to “revised enterprise agreement conditions until we have carefully analysed the details.”

“The pay and conditions of our valued staff are just too important to rush into any decisions.”

In Features this morning

James Guthrie and Tom Smith for the Australian Association of University Professors say to help casuals stay in work: first count them (all of them).

Darci Taylor tips a hat to uni teachers who are meeting the on-line challenge. This week’s story in Commissioning Editor Sally Kift’s series on what’s needed now in teaching and learning.

How Flinders U uses Microsoft platforms to keep its community informed on COVID-19.

Lana Ly on  researching  a PhD from home.

Lin Martin asks how on-line assessment compares to in-class for professional accreditation. Michael Sankey responds. 

The NHMRC should give existing researchers a six-month extension

The Australian Society for Medical Research wants government to fund a six-month extension of existing research grants. “This will help to retain the current workforce and provide sufficient opportunity for the very best research (as determined previously by peer review) to deliver the intended optimal outcomes for the nation,” the ASMR suggests. It proposes the feds sling the National Health and Medical Research Council $400m for a “one-off crisis intervention.”

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment has approved universities extending research scholarships for six months, for PGs whose work is effected by COVID-19, but isn’t funding it (CMM May 11).

The higher education regulator took three working days to approve undergraduate certificates to be offered by a private provider

CMM understands the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency has approved three six-month courses from Sydney-based, International College of Management Sydney.

They are early private-sector starters in Education Minister Dan Tehan’s programme of HECS-eligible short courses designed for people keen to up-skill during the COVID-19 caused jobs crisis.

While the self-accrediting status of universities means they can launch this class of courses whenever they choose, other providers need a tick from TEQSA.

Which ICM has secured in what must be record time for the regulator.  Independent Higher Education Australia was quick to congratulate both college and agency last night.

“IHEA applauds TEQSA’s flexibility and focus on supporting the sector through the impacts of COVID19. The rapid accreditation of new courses from quality independent providers will assist many Australians impacted by COVID-19 to achieve their life goals,” CEO Simon Finn said.

The Innovative Research Universities is largely happy with the government’s plan to implement Peter Coaldrake’s review of Provider Category Standards. But not entirely

Professor Coaldrake’s recommendations on research minimums for universities, community engagement and creating new unis were all adopted by the government, (CMM December 11). But where Coaldrake proposed top-quality teaching-only institutions could be called “national institutes of higher education” (CMM October 16 2019), Education Minister Dan Tehan preferred “university college.”

The IRU isn’t happy with that and uses the Higher Education Standards Panel request for advice on how to implement the changes (CMM March 3) to make the point, calling Mr Tehan’s change, “an unfortunate decision,” “maintaining the potential for confusing between a university and other providers.”

There is as much as nothing the IRU can do about this but it does seek to minimise the impact of what it does not like about the “university college” title. Thus it responds to HESP’s proposing that one of the roles of university colleges is, “demonstrate strong civic leadership … .”

“This proposal further distracts a group that is meant to be the leading non-universities with a university requirement due to the minister’s naming change. The result is to nudge the university colleges that much closer to university. It could undermine the potential for the non-university,” IRU argues.

However, pointing to the possibility of existing universities expanding, IRU also suggests regulatory room to, “ensure space for universities to have related elements accredited as university colleges.”

“It is difficult to see international students entering the country before 2021,” says Monash U VC

Margaret Gardner briefed the Victorian parliament’s public accounts and estimates committee yesterday.

Some 6000 Monash U international students are now studying remotely from their home countries but no one knows how long people will wait for an on-campus experience Professor Gardner warned.

Professor Gardner added the university’s pathway college’s revenue is down 40 per cent.

As to internationals here, she told the inquiry Monash U has 16 000 applications to its student hardship fund, 13 000 from internationals. All up students have requested $49m.

The university has accepted 80 per cent plus of applications for voluntary redundancy

It will also close three small teaching sites in regional Queensland.  But even with these savings added to those already identified observers suggest that on the university’s estimates to date CQU will still be around $25m short of filling its $114m budget gap (CMM April 22, May 12).

But this does not necessarily mean wholesale sackings to come. VC Nick Klomp says the university is interested in alternatives to “staff separation.”

“We are looking carefully at the national negotiations between universities and the National Tertiary Education Union, as this may allow us to recover even more costs through measures other than staff separation.”

But he adds CQU will not commit to “revised enterprise agreement conditions until we have carefully analysed the details.”

“The pay and conditions of our valued staff are just too important to rush into any decisions.”

With the feds doing not much to help internationals students who have lost the jobs they need to eat any assistance looks good

Which is why the NSW Government’s announcement of support for internationals has had a good run.  Skills and Tertiary Education Minister Geoff Lee says there is, “the state will fund temporary crisis accommodation for stranded international students as part of a $20 million package protecting the vulnerable and maintaining the state’s track record as a leading global study destination.” Good oh, but with 250 000 international students in NSW it won’t go far.
However, this does not diminish good work by the state – this package includes 50 000 subscriptions to the My Legal Mate app, part funded by Study NSW. The app includes 3000 videos covering the law on employment, housing, sexual assault and disputes with education providers and comes in English, Chinese, Portuguese, Thai, Hindi, Vietnamese and Korean editions (CMM December11 2019). Last year Study NSW also surveyed internationals to work out ways to help avoid housing exploitation, (CMM April 10).

National Tertiary Education Union members will vote Monday in a national ballot on the accord adopted by the university’s national leaders and a group of vice chancellors

If it passes, the next step is all-staff votes at universities. Whether it will, CMM has no clue. Activists who dislike the idea of surrendering wages and conditions to management, are vocal, especially in Victoria, but federal president Alison Barnes and colleagues have solid support among state leaderships for the job protection the accord would provide.

How many universities will sign-on, is another question, (among so many) on which CMM is clue-less. Australian Catholic U and Uni Melbourne were quick to knock-back the deal, followed by Flinders U, yesterday. CQU, Murdoch and ANU managements all say they are thinking about it. Universities which should be solid in support are Charles Sturt U, La Trobe U, Monash U and UWA – the VCs of which all worked on the deal.

by DIRK MULDER

What the March enrolment and commencement data records and what is actually occurring are different things. On the basis of the latest numbers the crisis we know is occurring, isn’t

What happened in March

Overall year to date commencement numbers indicate the sector contracted 0.8 per cent overall. Non-award suffered the largest decrease of 7.5 per cent closely followed by HE down 6.3 per cent, followed by ELICOS at 4.9 per cent. The winners were VET up 14.8 per cent and schools up 1.9 per cent.

The data has puzzled many and puzzles further when March alone is examined.  Compared to March 2019 commencements were 2.17 per cent up. HE was down 4.68 per cent, VET was up 44.7 per cent, schools down 11.9 per cent, ELICOS down 3.2 per cent and non-award down 15.17 per cent.

But March 2020 was better for VET and HE than preceding months.

So what’s going on? CMM yesterday set out the reasons which are delaying reports of the slump in international numbers. But the official figures for March are not too bad – enjoy them while they are current.

Year to date on 2019 by sector

China overall is down 17.5 per cent. HE from China down 13.7 per cent, VET down 16.3 per cent, schools down 12 per cent, ELICOS down 34.6 per cent and non-award down 17 per cent.

India overall is up 3.8 per cent. HE is down 15.2 per cent, VET is the big winner up 65.4 per cent, schools up 10.1 per cent, ELICOS down 8.3 per cent and non-award down 15.4 per cent

Sri Lanka was up 7.9 per cent. HE down 0.8 per cent, VET up 36.9 per cent, schools down 30 per cent, ELICOS down 0.9 per cent, non-Award down 31.9 per cent

Year to date on 2019, by state

NSW overall is down 2.9 per cent. HE is down 8 per cent, VET is up 7.5 per cent, schools down 5.1 per cent, ELICOS down 4.7 per cent and non-award down 2.8 per cent

Victoria overall is down 3.4 per cent. HE is down 11 per cent, VET is up 19.4 per cent, schools up 8.5 per cent, ELICOS down 9.8 per cent and non- award down 10.5 per cent

Queensland overall is up 0.2 per cent. HE is down 2.3 per cent, VET is up 6.2 per cent, Schools up 5.4 per cent, ELICOS up 0.2 per cent and non-award down 8 per cent.

SA overall is up 14.9 per cent. HE is up 18.8 per cent, VET is up 46.5 per cent, schools up 1.3 per cent, ELICOS down 4per cent and non- award down 25 per cent.

WA overall is up 3.88 per cent. HE is down 0.6 per cent, VET is up 14.8 per cent, schools down 7.7 per cent, ELICOS up 6.7 per cent and non- award down 5.2 per cent.

Tasmania overall is up 12.2 per cent. HE is up 3.7 per cent, VET is up 40.8 per cent, schools up 4.1 per cent, ELICOS down 46 per cent and non- award down 12 per cent.

NT overall is up 93.2 per cent. HE is up 43.6 per cent, VET is up 167 per cent, schools up 66.7 per cent, ELICOS up 30 per cent and non-award up 75 per cent.

ACT overall is down 10.8 per cent. HE is down 20.5 per cent, VET is up 36.8 per cent, schools up 12.1 per cent, ELICOS down 36.2 per cent and non-award down 5.1 per cent.

VET commencements continue to grow

The March highlight is continuing VET growth, up 14.8 per cent YTD across the country. Victoria is up 19.4 per cent, SA 46.5 per cent, TAS 40.8 per cent and NT up 167 per cent.

Courses growing more than 1000 commencements include: vehicle mechanics up 26 per cent, project management up 22 per cent, office studies up 7.7 per cent, marketing up 19.2 per cent, hospitality up 7.3 per cent, business management up 17.2 per cent.

Cookery repeats the big-increase in February (CMM. April 28). The big star again being cookery up 46.8 per cent.

Dirk Mulder is CMM’s international education correspondent