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When Sondheim suits
The Elder Conservatorium at Uni Adelaide presents “Sweeney Todd.” It’s not adapted for local consumption, but it could be – (the real song is HERE )
“Attend the tale of Peter Høj
A VC of talented-tough alloy
He kept a uni in Adelaide town
Replete with staff of good renown
And what if they feared budgets shaved
They went to the merger well behaved”
There’s more in the Mail
In Features this morning
Merlin Crossley (UNSW) on how the HE world CMM covered changed, and didn’t, HERE
plus Improving student learning for all learners must be at the heart of the Accord. A national resource to lift outcomes and benefits for all through relentless improvement in university teaching is the way to do it. Liz Johnson, Sally Kift, Jason Lodge and Siobhan Lenihan make the case for their proposed National Centre for Student Success, HERE
with Amanda-Jane George (CQU) and Julie-Ann Tarr (QUT) on the great FOI go-slow. Academics require access to (inconvenient, uncomfortable) government information. It’s why they need to watch for the results of the latest freedom of information inquiry, HERE
The story so far …
Has gone on rather a bit, so last CMM tomorrow (gremlins permitting) – thanks to readers past and present.
And thanks for all the generous words – many people are very kind.
To everybody who worked with me – without your patience, determination and talent CMM would not have made it this far. Many, many thanks.
Above all, CMM is, always was, dedicated to Stephanie Raethel – her love and wisdom kept the press rolling for just short of ten years
USQ micro-creds meeting needs
Uni Southern Queensland picks up federal funding in the new micro-credentials pilot programme
It’s for m-cs on drone mapping/navigation and Geographic Information Systems, which will “tackle chronic skills shortages” in urban planning and surveying.
Which, cynics suggest now exist because educational institutions did not previously use their staffs’ skills and institutional resources to create short and targeted courses. But what can you expect from cynics.
Good for USQ.
Good deals done in SA
Uni SA staff voting were all but unanimous in support of the enterprise agreement offer
Some 93 per cent of the poll voted yes which about as good as it gets in EA votes.
Uni Adelaide staff voting also backed a similar offer, with a 92 per cent yes (CMM June 9).
The ballot opens electronically at Flinders U today, which makes it tough for exit polling, but word on campus is that a similar result is expected
If so it will confirm a trio of triumphs for management and union negotiators.
Where there’s WIL there could be an Accord way
The Trades Support Loans Amendment Bill was in the Reps yesterday – it might matter more than it sounds
For those who, (like CMM), have missed this one, the bill extends income contingent loans, now for apprentices and trainees in listed technician and trade occupations to other in-demand areas, aged care, disability care and childcare, get a mention.
“The indications are that, for women, especially unpaid placements as part of their nursing and teacher training, it can be particularly challenging, leading to what is being dubbed “placement poverty” as they’re forced to give up paid work to do their on-the-job training,” Zoe Daniel (Independent-Vic) said in the Reps yesterday.
Ms Daniel also announced, “I also understand that this legislation has attracted the attention of the education minister, who is interested in seeing whether it can be applied to other areas of higher education beyond the vocational education and training sector.”
Gosh, now where could any such interest lead?
How about straight to the O’Kane Accord? In the discussion paper for it Professor O’Kane and colleagues suggested, “there may be opportunities to expand the use of placements, internships and other forms of (work integrated learning), in particular into fields and occupations where this is less common, such as the not-for-profit sector. … WIL can be a particular problem for students from regional, rural and remote areas.”
This should fix it
“Charles Sturt University is assisting to bring a nationally recognised event to Wagga Wagga in a bid to improve the Riverina’s climate outlook,” CSU announcement yesterday
Future Campus – the news you need
By TIM WINKLER
Thousands of people across the higher education sector have signed up to Future Campus, the newsletter and website launching next week
We’ve already had commitments from a range of people ready to contribute their insights for the tens of thousands of people who have enjoyed CMM each day, will bring a sense of continuity with articles and interviews by Stephen Matchett.
In keeping with our vision of an information, news and analysis hub for the sector and by the sector, Future Campus will bring you voices, views and insights that feel relevant, and that you won’t find elsewhere.
We won’t be CMM but are seeking to bring a range of useful content with a newsletter that comes to you at least once a week, as well as special editions focused on key issues relevant to the sector. New content will appear on the site most days and we will start bringing reports, events and other resources that you have been telling us you want.
Sign up and receive Future Campus straight to your inbox, free of charge on 22 June. It should be a fascinating ride.
Subscribe at: www.futurecampus.com.au
Appointments, achievements
At Edith Cowan U, Beth Armstrong becomes director of the university’s Department of Public Health, for the state’s southwest.
Christopher Barner Kowollik (QUT) receives the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Centenary Prize, “in recognition of brilliance in research and innovation.”
Sonya Stanford is now PVC of Uni Tasmania’s Cradle Coast campus. She was previously an associate dean for learning and teaching performance in the College of Arts, Law and Education.