Robert Griew observed the past five-years’ policy shambles from within and without government. And the now Nous Group consultant suggests three ways universities can escape the deepening morass that has government and universities unable to find solid and common reforming ground.

“Get out of the beltway:” “In terms the community understands, which relate to middle Australia’s priorities – good jobs, decent services, growing businesses, community harmony and safety – universities need to articulate convincing reasons why it is important for something approaching a half of young people to get a higher education.”

“Engage beyond the club:” “No doubt there is risk in any watering down of the protected term ‘university,’ however, there is also real danger in presuming its indefinite dominance and stability. The challenge this time is to take on the questions in a way that is focussed on the much bigger group of students now in the system, seeking more variety of outcomes. … Universities could ask what is to be learnt from the best of work-based learning in the VET system. Or how efficiently could university teaching be organised in a way that puts a complete focus on student outcomes and experience, as many of the NUHEPs will tell you is their mission and pleasure.”

“Making life easier for education ministers:” “It is not (ever) a bad time to consider fairer and more efficient ways to make savings, measures that are less prone to distort investment, institutional or individual decision making. Whoever occupies the Treasury benches after the next election (and indeed until then) will be grappling with fiscal as well as policy issues.”