Bosses losing faith in quality of training qualifications

Bosses losing faith in quality of training qualifications | Andrew Trounson | The Australian Higher Education | 31 July, 2013

A LEAKED Victorian government-commissioned survey has found that employers are losing faith in the quality of training qualifications, adding more ammunition to ongoing criticism of the state’s open market for training subsidies that has led to a proliferation of private providers.The report from Queensland-based consultants Ithaca Group, and obtained by the HES, surveyed about 140 Victorian employers as part of an effort to assess their training information needs, but it found many would rather buy qualifications than trust the training system to improve staff skills.

University-based teacher training suffers under Ofsted

University-based teacher training suffers under Ofsted  |  John Morgan | Times Higher Education | 25 July 2013

Universities may lose places over reported falls in teacher training standards

Don’t rush policy reform, says UA

Don’t rush policy reform, says UA | ANDREW TROUNSON, BERNARD LANE AND JULIE HARE |The Australian Higher Education | 24 July, 2013

MAJOR policy reform of the demand-driven system cannot be rushed in just 72 hours and needs further consultation to avoid unintended consequences, the head of peak group Universities Australia says.”It isn’t something that can be done in just two to three days of consultation,” Universities Australia chair and vice-chancellor of James Cook University Sandra Harding told the HES.

How the Gates Foundation’s $472-Million is Remaking Higher Education

The How the Gates Foundation’s $472-Million is Remaking Higher Education | Marc Parry, Kelly Field, and Beckie Supiano | Chronicle of Higher Education | 14 July, 2013

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has spent $472-million (so far) on higher education. Why many in academe are not writing thank-you notes.

Surrey considered grade targets for staff appraisals | News | Times Higher Education

Surrey considered grade targets for staff appraisals | Jack Grove | Times Higher Education | 18 July 2013

Plans were abandoned only after ‘extensive negotiations’ with union

Hike a graphic illustration of fee ‘madness’

Hike a graphic illustration of fee ‘madness’  | Julie Hare | The Australian Higher Education | 17 July, 2013

COURSE fees for graphic design at Canberra Institute of Technology have risen 1000 per cent in five years, an advanced diploma costing double that of a bachelors degree at nearby Canberra University. Pat Forward, national TAFE secretary for the Australian Education Union, said government reforms under the Council of Australian Governments was driving irrationality in policy, with the removal of subsidies for higher-level vocational qualifications forcing providers to offer courses on a full-fee recovery basis.

NUS and Hefce team up for regulation without legislation

NUS and Hefce team up for regulation without legislation  |  John Morgan | Times Higher Education | 11 July 2013

Willetts aims to fill ‘black hole’ left by failure of higher education bill

Research impact not a priority, says Kim Carr | The Australian

Research impact not a priority, says Kim Carr | Julie Hare | The Australian Higher Education | 10 July, 2013

UNIVERSITIES are at the centre of the innovation system but Higher Education Minister Kim Carr is a long way from being convinced measuring the impact of their research is a worthwhile endeavour. “I am not in the business of asking universities to write long essays or fill in more forms. We are in the business of assessing research quality against a rigorous set of verifiable standards,” Senator Carr said, referring to the proposal to use case studies to measure research impact.

Affirmative action ruling puts colleges in limbo

• ‘Fisher’ Ruling May Open a ‘Wave of Litigation Against Colleges’ 

  Many experts predict the ruling will inspire legal challenges to race-conscious admissions policies that previously got the benefit of the doubt.

Apple for teacher, but few promotions or pay rises

Apple for teacher, but few promotions or pay rises | Jack Grove | Times Higher Education | 4 July 2013

HEA study finds efforts to promote pedagogy have yet to pay off