Australian Universities

<p><p><i>Australian Universities: A conversation about public good</i> highlights contemporary challenges facing Australian universities and offers new ideas for expanding public good.<br></p><p>More than 20 experts take up the debate about our public universities: who they are for; what their mission is (or should be); what strong higher education policy entails; and how to cultivate a robust and constructive relationship between government and Australian universities. Issues covered include:</p><blockquote>- How to change a culture of exclusion to ensure all are welcome in universities especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students as well as those from low socio-economic backgrounds.<br>- How educational disadvantage in Australia often begins in school and is still the major barrier to full university participation.<br>- The reality that funding for research and major infrastructure requires significant additional funds from non-government sources (e.g. international student fees).<br>- A lack of policy recognition that international university students increase Australia's social cultural and economic capital.<br> - Pathways to making policy decisions wide-ranging consultative inclusive and inspired rather than politically partisan and ideologically driven.<br> - The impact of COVID-19 on universities and particularly how the pandemic and governmental responses exacerbated extant and emerging issues.</blockquote><p><i>Australian Universities</i> rekindles a much-needed conversation about the vital role of public universities in our society arguing for initiatives informed by the realities of university life and offering a way forward for government communities students and public universities - together - to advance public good. </p></p>