With no dedicated minister and being constantly caught in the mechanics of government, has International Education missed out by not being incorporated into the structure of the proposed Tertiary Education Commission?
The recently released Universities Accord calls for establishing a Tertiary Education Commission to steward the National Tertiary Objective. Most folks the Koala has spoken to agree this is a positive move. Recommendation 30:
30. That to deliver on the National Tertiary Education Objective and establish a public sector steward for the tertiary education system, the Australian Government establish an Australian Tertiary Education Commission as a statutory, national body reporting to the Minister for Education and the Minister for Skills and Training.
There are 9 subpoints to it’s possible composition:
The Australian Tertiary Education Commission would:
I. convene ongoing collaborative engagement about the future of the tertiary education system
ii. foster a high quality and cohesive tertiary education system, that encourages diversity and student choice
iii. advise on meeting skills and equity targets
iv. ensure that regulatory burden is monitored and minimised in the sector
v. provide expert advice to the Government and tertiary education system
b. The Australian Tertiary Education Commission would have the following functions:
i. policy coordination and development for higher education and university research, and joint development of policy initiatives on tertiary education with the Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council
ii. system planning
iii. negotiating mission-based compacts for universities
iv. pricing authority for the higher education sector
v. funding allocation for the higher education sector
vi. facilitating wide engagement with the tertiary education system
vii. strengthening First Nations representation and self-determination
viii. advising the Minister on regulatory frameworks within the higher education sector
ix. overseeing and monitoring of the Australian Qualifications Framework
x. accountability, quality and performance
xi. improving data and metrics
c. The majority of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission’s functions will start in higher education with additional priorities aimed at achieving higher levels of tertiary education system alignment, focused on student pathways, credit recognition and the Australian Qualifications Framework. The Australian Government should also negotiate with states and territories to expand the Australian Tertiary Education Commission’s role to focus on the whole tertiary education system, with governance arrangements reflecting the ongoing role of all jurisdictions in its future, and with expansion to take effect in the context of the next National Skills Agreement
d. The Australian Tertiary Education Commission should be reviewed every 5 years of operation
e. To ensure the Australian Tertiary Education Commission has a comprehensive view of the whole tertiary education system, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and the Australian Research Council should form part of the Commission, as independent statutory bodies under its umbrella, with each Chair becoming a dedicated Commissioner and retaining their legislated roles
f. Governments should also consider the desirability and timing of bringing the Australian Skills Quality Authority into the Australian Tertiary Education Commission in order to reduce regulatory duplication
g. The Australian Tertiary Education Commission should be governed by a Board comprising the Chief Commissioner as Chair, 2 Deputy Commissioners, the TEQSA Chief Commissioner, the ARC Board Chair, a First Nations Commissioner, an Equity Commissioner and the Regional Education Commissioner. Most commissioners would be fractional or part-time. The day-to-day administration of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission would be handled by a full-time CEO
h. The Australian Tertiary Education Commission should seek the views of a wide range of stakeholders in the tertiary education system, through:
i. an ongoing Advisory Board, with representatives from tertiary education providers, all Australian governments, students, staff, employers (including business and industry representatives), unions, alumni and civil society organisations
ii.. a First Nations Council
iii. a Learning and Teaching Council
iv. regular engagement with representatives from key stakeholders covering learning and teaching, research, equity, regional issues, and private tertiary education providers
I. Through the pricing authority function, the Australian Tertiary Education Commission should develop a deep understanding of the true costs of delivery of the range of activities across the tertiary education system, with a priority on pricing issues in higher education related to learning and teaching, additional support for under-represented students, regional delivery, and the full economic cost of research.
The Koala picks up on point G which calls for the board to be compromised and role with:
- the Chief Commissioner as Chair,
- 2 Deputy Commissioners,
- the TEQSA Chief Commissioner,
- the ARC Board Chair,
- a First Nations Commissioner,
- an Equity Commissioner and the
- Regional Education Commissioner.
The Koala congratulates the government on identifying portfolios where representation is required. However, it is a big however, is there a case for an International Education Commissioner? Someone who can work on behalf of the sector and represent their issues to the commissions highest level. That brings International Education to the table on the same level as other identified portfolios.
Phil Honeywood, CEO of the International Education Association, when asked the question, responded, “It makes sense that the sector is represented at the highest level on the proposed new body.”
So… the question the Koala asks is, “Has the government got this one slightly askew, and has International Education missed out and been overlooked again?”
