Business roundtable with PM Narendra Modi, Universities Accord Ministerial Reference Group: Latest rundown of higher education

Our Chief Executive?Catriona Jackson's message

I have spent much of this week in Sydney for engagements that reinforce our sector’s place on the national agenda. On Wednesday, I had the privilege of participating, on your behalf, in a business roundtable hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator Penny Wong, along with chief executives representing key sectors of the economy.

Australia and India’s relationship is flourishing, backed by deep commitment from both governments and by our university sector.?

Australian universities will continue to play a significant role in making the most of the opportunities in front of us. This was evident, as it has been during the many visits back and forth between our nations this year, through several announcements made this week relevant to universities.

I am very pleased to be representing the higher education sector on the Advisory Board for the Centre for Australia-India Relations . The centre will bring all levels of government together with industry, academia and the community to drive engagement between our nations and will be a driving force behind our push to deepen our education and research links.

I look forward to contributing to this important work on behalf of the sector.

We also welcomed the finalisation of the Australia-India Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement. This important framework will support the flow of more students, researchers and skilled people between our countries, which is a good thing as we respond to skill shortages, economic challenges and security issues in our region.

Australia and India are united in understanding the power of education and its role in changing lives and powering economies. We are fortunate to have both governments putting education at the centre of the Australia-India relationship, right where it belongs.

Today, I am at the meeting of the Universities Accord Ministerial Reference Group at the Bankstown campus of Western Sydney University . We are nearing the halfway point of the process, with Professor Mary O’Kane AC preparing to hand an interim report to the government next month.

While we await further information on formal next steps, work continues behind the scenes. This week, Deputy Vice-Chancellors (International) had a productive meeting with Professor O’Kane, exploring the role of international education in supporting not just our universities but the nation’s economy.

Perhaps fortuitously, the meeting occurred against the backdrop of Prime Minister Modi’s visit, which certainly further highlighted the importance of international education.

I’m looking forward to seeing many of you in Brisbane next week for the Annual General Meeting and Plenary where, among other important matters, we will confirm the new UA Chair and makeup of the Board.?

I would like to take this opportunity to recognise John for his leadership of the Board over the last two years and thank him for his significant contribution during his long association with Universities Australia. I know that we will have a proper opportunity to celebrate his contribution and impact, as well as farewelling outgoing Board members, when we gather on Tuesday evening, but I wanted to offer my sincere thanks here also.

Until next time,

Catriona Jackson

Chief Executive, Universities Australia

PARLIAMENTARY UPDATES

• Senate estimates are on this week and next. The Department of Education’s higher education, research and international branch will appear on Friday, 2 June at 9am.
• The government’s Startup Year bill is expected to be introduced to the Senate during the June sitting period.
• UA Chief Executive Catriona Jackson appeared before the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade at the inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors on 15 May 2023.

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GRANTS, FUNDING AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Science & Technology Australia’s STEM Career Pathways survey is now open (closes 14 June 2023).
• ACOLA’s survey on how research assessment shape research careers is now open (closes 12 June)
• Applications for the 61st Australian Export Awards are now open and close in June.
• Applications for the 2023 round of the Australia-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme are now open (close 21 June 2023).

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UPDATE FROM THE CHIEF ECONOMIST

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a change in the make-up of international students studying in Australia.

Prior to the pandemic, Chinese students made up 40 per cent of commencements, but this has fallen to 30 per cent in 2023. Meanwhile, the percentage of commencing students from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Indonesia has risen from 32 per cent to 42 per cent.

Demand for international education in these nations should continue to grow relatively strongly. The International Monetary Fund expects these economies to grow in real terms by five per cent per year or above in the years ahead. This is faster than China, where growth is tipped at only four per cent per year, down on forecasts that it would continue to grow in line with other Asian countries.

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MEDIA UPDATE?

The UA media team continues to underpin the delivery of policy initiatives with strategic media and communications engagement activities. Our activity over the last fortnight has generated 178 media items with a potential audience reach of 14.9 million people across online, print, radio and television platforms.

• Remarks – business roundtable with Prime Minister Modi (24 May 2023)
• Universities key to maximising Australia-India economic potential (24 May 2023)
• Appointment to the Advisory Board for the Centre for Australia-India Relations (24 May 2023)
• Steps to crack down on academic cheating services welcome (17 May 2023)
• International student arrivals continue strong recovery (16 May 2023)

FURTHER INFORMATION: UA media team

SUBMISSIONS

UPCOMING SUBMISSIONS

• Submission to the Independent Review of Overseas Health Practitioner Regulatory Settings (due 9 June)
• Submission to AHPRA on the initial draft glossary of accreditation terms (due 23 June 2023)

RECENT SUBMISSIONS

• Submission to the Australian Pharmacy Council on draft accreditation standards for aged care on-site pharmacists (12 May)
• Submission to the Jobs and Skills Australia Adult Foundation Skills Study Discussion Paper (24 April 2023)
• Submission to the Jobs and Skills Australia Amendment Bill 2023 (14 April 2023)
• Submission to the Senate Startup Year Bill Inquiry (13 April 2023)
• Submission to the Australian Universities Accord Panel Discussion Paper (11 April 2023)
• Submission to the Education Legislation Amendment (Startup and Other Measures) Bill 2023 (3 April 2023)
• Submission to the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Nurse Practitioner Workforce Consultation Plan (17 February 2023)
• Submission to the Jobs and Skills Australia discussion paper (10 February 2023)
• Submission to the implementation of the National Reconstruction Fund (3 February 2023)
• Submission to the Commonwealth Department of Health IDH capabilities (27 January 2023)
• Submission to the 2023-24 federal budget (27 January 2023)

View all submissions on the UA website.

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EVENTS

UA Chief Executive Catriona Jackson is participating at the following events. Contact our communications team for further information.

• Times Higher Education Campus Live ANZ 2023 – 1-2 June 2023
• AFR Higher Education Summit 2023 – 22 August 2023