The Week That Was

Key news in HE this week

Fees Should Never Buy Degrees, But They Should Earn Respect

Donors are recognised with great respect by universities, but contribute far less collectively than international students. While fees can’t buy degrees, they can buy student support, cross-subsidised research and all sorts of other things that Australian Universities rely on. Some level of recognition is required.

Collaborative Precincts Beat Insular Institutions: New Models for HE

Multicampus models of the past, which replicated institutional experiences in different locations, are set to be replaced by collaborative precincts, where universities are an anchor, not a sole arbiter, Zoe Terpening writes.

ATEC Powering Up

Legislation establishing new government regulation of university enrolments is set to be enacted. The Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026 did not pass the Senate yesterday but it will, with the Government amending the Bill to address issues raised by the Greens, ACT independent David Pocock and the Opposition.