A report commissioned by WA Tertiary and International Education Minister Tony Buti into potential benefits and costs of university mergers in the west has lobbed into the Minister’s office, with much anticipation as to what the Government might propose.
Edith Cowan is exempt from merger discussions, apparently on the basis of it opening a shiny new CBD campus this year (although how that stops one from discussing merger possibilities is not altogether clear to FC), leaving potential unions between UWA, Curtin, and/or Murdoch on the table.
With Dr Buti on leave, Acting Minister for Tertiary and International Education Paul Papalia last night confirmed the report had been received by the Cook Government, although there is no timeline for a decision at this stage.
“WA’s universities are central to our State’s future, providing educational opportunities, driving research and development and building capability in areas of strategic importance,” Mr Papalia said.
“The review was commissioned to investigate the structure of the university sector in WA and its ongoing sustainability. The WA Government is carefully considering the findings of that work and will continue to engage with the university sector.”
Any delay will provide the Cook Government with more opportunity to closely scrutinise progress at Adelaide University as it works through its first year of existence, following the merger of Uni SA and U of Adelaide.