Page 555 - Week 02 - Thursday, 19 February 2015

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In 2014 a Deloitte report found that Canberra has the highest percentage of its population studying full or part time compared to any other city in Australia and that higher education is the fifth largest industry in the ACT, contributing more than $1.7 billion worth of economic activity annually.

One in nine of our residents work or study at a university in the ACT, Madam Speaker, helping us to grow a well-qualified and skilled labour market and to successfully deliver high quality education to many interstate and overseas full fee-paying students.

This government has a strong and coherent vision for the sector, to be realised through close collaboration with our higher education providers. The government’s vision for the university is that it build on its many strengths to become one of Australia’s most innovative tertiary institutions, world-ranked and with national reach and international reputation.

By enhancing our status as a city-state with much to offer tertiary students, academics and researchers, we expect the clustering effect of many world-class universities here to help attract the best and brightest to live, to work and to study, and ultimately, Madam Speaker, to stay and invest in our vibrant and prosperous city.

The University of Canberra has a proud history of educating and helping to shape our community. It was established as a university in 1989, the same year as self-government was granted to the ACT. Prior to this, it was well regarded and known as the Canberra College of Advanced Education, providing practical education specifically for jobs and for life-long learning in the Canberra community.

Momentum and growth have been maintained by the University of Canberra and, with the collaborative support of the ACT government and the community, the university has established itself as Australia’s capital university. As such it has continued to deliver a wealth of graduates and research benefiting our community. The University of Canberra has a world ranking for the second consecutive year in the QS World University rankings, cementing its position in the top five per cent of universities and research institutions internationally. The university is also ranked amongst the best in Australia by the Good Universities Guide for positive graduate outcomes and for successful employment outcomes.

Madam Speaker, my government is putting the needs of Canberrans first in supporting the growth and development of the University of Canberra Bruce campus. The University of Canberra will be bringing together professional partners and businesses, widening its sphere of activities for the community and becoming more prosperous through working collaboratively with business partners and better utilising its property and assets into the future.

I am concerned, and I know that many others are, about the unprecedented challenges for universities and other educational institutions under this current federal Liberal government’s restructuring proposal for funding and student support arrangements. This bill will help to strengthen the University of Canberra’s long-term position in the face of this uncertainty.


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