Home → Current news → Tackling the big issues in higher education

Tackling the big issues in higher education

Wednesday 25 July 2007

Representatives from across Australia and New Zealand will converge on the Hunter Valley this week to tackle some of the key issues facing the higher education sector.

Hosted by the University of Newcastle, the 2007 Universities Australia Senior Administrative Staff Conference will cover a range of issues including planning around the ageing academic population, assessing universities' financial health, student demand and enrolment patterns, and public-private partnerships.

University of Newcastle Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Services), Dr Sue Gould, said the conference provided an opportunity for peers and colleagues to share ideas and experiences across the sector.

"Many of the challenges each university faces in Australia and New Zealand are not unique to their institution. Our ageing academic population, maintaining financial health and ensuring student demand in an increasingly competitive environment are issues senior university administrators are facing everyday.

"By coming together we can share our experiences and ideas, ensuring that the sector as a whole is adopting best practice approaches to shared challenges."

The conference includes:

A briefing from Colin Walters, Higher Education Group Manager, the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training
A presentation on assessing a university's financial health by David Pitt, Chief Financial Officer from Monash University
A joint presentation on public-private partnerships by Professor Andy Vann, Pro Vice-Chancellor Information and Corporate Services, James Cook University; John Seed, Senior Associate from Connell Wagner; and John Cox, partner at Eakin McCaffery Cox Solicitors.

Universities Australia is the industry peak body representing the university sector. The 2007 Universities Australia Senior Administrative Staff Conference will be held from 25 to 27 July in the Hunter Valley, NSW.

Dr Sue Gould, Chair of the Conference Steering Committee, is available for comment.