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Author Archives: john ross

Sceptical response to youth allowance pledge

University and student groups have put better income support at the top of their election wish-lists. But they haven’t warmed to the Coalition’s response. The Coalition has upped the bidding for the country student vote, pledging to apply the relaxed ...

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Assessing a world of learning?

We don’t know if Shanghai-style rankings for learning are really feasible. But an ACER-led project for the OECD might just find out. Around 135 million students enrol in the world’s higher education courses, according to the Australian Council for Educational ...

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Testing times, as DIAC sits on its selections

Federal government policy promotes competition in most services, including education. But the immigration department has maintained a monopoly in one area – so far, anyway. Competition is intensifying among English language tests seeking a bigger slice of a fast-growing market ...

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ALP handballs PPP funds straight to apprentices

More than $300 million from the government’s controversial $2.1 billion PPP – most of which has gone to private training colleges – will now line the pockets of cash-strapped apprentices, under a Labor election pledge. Federal Labor will reallocate funding ...

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Melbourne health faculty to boost indigenous numbers

Melbourne has chosen some elite disciplines to strive for indigenous parity. The University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences has appointed an associate dean for indigenous development – claimed as a first for an Australian university – ...

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Victoria to lose $650 million in fees

Declining income from international student fees will cost Australia over half a billion dollars by 2012 – and that doesn’t include foregone growth. The state most reliant on overseas students will be the biggest loser, with Victorian institutions’ losses exceeding ...

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Language test monopoly keeping students away?

Language test constraints deter students from our shores, test company executives say. Where’s the evidence, says DIAC. The IELTS stranglehold on English language tests for visas purposes isn’t just a level playing field issue, according to Helen Cook, Australasian associate ...

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Amenities bill “essential insurance”: UA

The peak universities body wants the political parties to have a fresh look at VSU, saying a fee would provide students with essential insurance coverage. Universities Australia has called for the Student Services and Amenities Bill to be reviewed, even ...

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Coalition pledges new ATCs

It’s goodbye TTCs, hello again ATCs if the Coalition wins the election. A Coalition government would spend $740 million to establish 30 new Australian Technical Colleges (ATCs), Opposition leader Tony Abbott and shadow training minister Mathias Cormann announced last week. ...

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Peak groups focus on income support

Income support has already improved, and lobby groups want more. But don’t hold your breath. Student income support is emerging as a key issue for higher education lobby groups, despite substantial reforms to the system earlier this year, with both ...

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