Paul Wellings is not budging on UoW’s decision to accept $50m over eight years from the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation

The University of Wollongong’s VC wrote to staff yesterday, assuring them that academic processes are in intact and there was nothing to fear, and much to welcome in the Ramsay arrangement.

“I understand and respect that recent actions of protest may have been motivated by deeply held personal convictions and genuine desires for what individuals consider to be in the best interests of the institution.  However, I reassure you that the new degree is framed around many significant 21st century issues, in particular, the development of multicultural understanding, and will demonstrably strengthen the work of our university,” Professor Wellings says.

He added that the university will defend the new degree against the legal challenge brought by the National Tertiary Education Union and that he expects the course to commence in Autumn 2020.

Professor Wellings also said he expects “up to three” universities to receive Ramsay Centre funding. Despite opposition from its HASS faculty board of studies, the University of Queensland could well be a second – but which is the third? Management at the University of Sydney is keen but opponents in the arts  and social sciences faculty are adamant.