The research in learning and teaching shows clearly that didactic teaching and passive reception do not result in deep, lasting or meaningful learning for most students. Yet we persist with lecturing at students in large groups in most universities. Worse, ...
More »The unique challenges facing Tasmania’s sole university
The University of Tasmania was founded to serve an entire state and its people, and we remain the only university specifically for our society. Against that backdrop, place takes on particular importance. It was the theme of being ‘place-based and ...
More »It’s time to reappraise the civic role of the modern university: opinion
There exists a long and renowned history of ‘civic universities’ in the Anglosphere, and they are often compared and contrasted with the ‘ancient’ universities, sometimes seen as the repositories of tradition with their rituals, old buildings and formal codes of ...
More »Doing things differently: Bond University celebrates three decades of learning and innovation
Thirty years ago, the announcement of Australia’s first private university sparked national headlines across the country. Years later, Bond University’s birthday milestone has once again created buzz around the world. One thousand Bondies gathered from across Australia, and the globe, ...
More »Under pressure: Universities have been resilient so far, but how long can it last?
During my nearly 20 years as a vice‑chancellor at two universities, I have observed with pleasure the increased participation of (mostly) young people in our sector. As the first member of my family to be fortunate enough to benefit from ...
More »Adapt and deliver: CQUni VC shares leadership philosophy, vision for the future
In February this year, Professor Nick Klomp was appointed vice-chancellor of CQUniversity. He has travelled north for the role, previously serving as the deputy vice-chancellor (academic) at the University of Canberra. He is also a former dean of the Faculty ...
More »Partners in disruption: preparing students for a brave new future
RMIT University recently held a special event to celebrate its 131st birthday, entitled Will Robots Eat our Jobs? The event featured Vice-Chancellor Martin Bean and a panel of experts discussing what the future of jobs might be in a world ...
More »Regional Australia broadens choice and value for international students: opinion
International students are a major contributor to the rich cultural diversity of Australia’s higher education population and Australia has achieved an enviable record as a desirable student destination. Tertiary education now represents Australia’s third largest export sector and growth in ...
More »Keeping it local: Regional universities are critical to the health of regional communities
The mission of the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), like universities the world over, is to lead in economic and social development through higher education and research excellence. But unlike metropolitan universities, USQ’s community-centred values are grounded in our regional ...
More »Learning both ways: why Australia needs to embrace the knowledge and history of its Indigenous people
This past August, I found myself again at Gulkula in northeast Arnhem Land for the 20th anniversary Garma Festival run by the Yothu Yindi Foundation on the lands of the Gumatj clans of the Yolngu. Charles Darwin University’s engagement with this ...
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