IRU says demand-driven uni system working

It’s a bit too soon to be talking about success or failure. 5 years is barely longer than the length of a full-time UG degree, and low SES students are more likely to study part-time, so the ones who entered higher education after Labor reforms are still studying. Impossible to measure ‘outcomes’.

“Demand driven” was always misapplied to university, as it assumes market theory applies to education. The idea that “the (education) market” has some special insight into what skills and knowledge will be in-demand in the job market in 3-8 years time is quite obviously a nonsense. On the other hand, arbitrary caps set by govt to manage budgets are clearly not going to fit the purpose either.

The idea ‘thousands of students’ ‘graduate onto the dole’ misrepresents the data…but it is hardly universities’ fault that the government is failing in its obligation to create jobs. The last 2 years have seen a jump in science graduates unable to fund employment…no surprise given the govt has been busy sacking scientists and cutting funds for research. If we insist on reducing the role of universities to job preparation, then we must demand the govt play their part in creating an environment in which graduates can gain employment.