Floods erode capital and teaching fund

University infrastructure and teaching programs have been canned to pay for flood reconstruction amid doubts the government can find alternative ways of funding their work.By John Ross A higher education infrastructure funding stream will be scrapped, the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) will be abolished and research infrastructure funding may be reduced to help fund post-flood reconstruction in Queensland and other states. The cuts are part of $2.8 billion in savings to half-fund the $5.6 billion the federal government has earmarked for rebuilding in Queensland. Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she would discontinue “some lower priority education spending, where the desired outcome can be achieved through other programs”. She specified the ALTC and the Capital Development Pool (CDP), both of which will be scrapped at the end of this year. The CDP – a cousin of the larger Education Investment Fund (EIF) – funds medium-sized building and IT projects and major refurbishments on higher education campuses. Abolition of the CDP will save the government $299 million over the next four years, according to a document released last week. A further $88 million will be saved by scrapping the ALTC. And $500 million will be saved through cuts to two Clean Energy Initiative (CEI) programs. The CEI was funded from money originally intended for the EIF, the major university and research institute infrastructure fund. Professor Ian O’Connor, chair of the Innovative Research Universities group, said he understood the need to find funds to pay for rebuilding after the floods. But he said he was concerned about the CDP. “We seek reassurance that funding for this important area is given higher priority through changes to the remaining capital programs, in particular the EIF,” he said. O’Connor said he was particularly concerned about the loss of the ALTC. “It has attained significant traction in the sector, and has led to a focus on improving students’ learning, and fostered the sharing of best practice and experience in teaching,” he said. “The Bradley report clearly supported the ALTC, stating it should continue to play an important role in the further improvement of Australian higher education teaching and learning.” The ALTC said an independent review by Emeritus Professor Kwong Lee Dow, in 2008, had also endorsed its work. “We are the champion of teaching and learning in higher education,” said chief executive Dr Carol Nicoll. “Without the ALTC, I am deeply concerned that important work in this area, that is central to the mission of every Australian higher education institution, will go unrecognised and unrewarded.” Universities Australia chief executive Dr Glenn Withers said both the ALTC and CDP performed vital roles, and highlighted Gillard’s claim that their outcomes could be achieved through other programs. He said UA hoped to work with the government to ensure this happened. Last week’s document said the government “remains committed to continuing to improve the quality of higher education in Australia”. It highlighted four reforms: the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, the My University website, the new national register and the new standards framework. Sources expressed doubt that these mechanisms – which are about regulation, measurement and transparency – could fill the ALTC’s shoes. Nicoll said the ALTC was about enhancing the quality of learning and teaching “through means other than regulation”. In other flood-related developments, Gillard has committed to extra resources and quicker approval processes – including a five-day visa application turnaround – for appropriately skilled and sponsored migrants working on Queensland rebuilding projects. Opposition immigration spokesperson Scott Morrison said work restrictions should also be eased for other visitors, including students. “These people include everything from chefs to sparkies and plumbers and carpenters, the whole range of skills that might be needed,” he told the ABC. Under rules introduced in 2008, international students can automatically work up to 20 hours a week while their courses are in session, and unlimited hours during course breaks. Many overseas students are on their summer breaks at present. And under rules introduced last year, students can stay and work for 18 months after completing their courses. Related stories HE community fights ALTC closure Infrastructure funds float off as floods shift priorities