Government Announces Strengthening University Infrastructure Through
Fast-Tracked Investment. (October 22, 2008)|
|
|
|
|
|
|
News & Views item - October 2008 |
Government Announces Strengthening University Infrastructure Through
Fast-Tracked Investment. (October 22, 2008)
While the universities have been preparing an action plan on infrastructure spending to fast-track the repair of deteriorating facilities by unlocking reserves from the $11 billion Education Investment Fund, the Group of Eight research universities is said to also be preparing details of a $1.5billion backlog of facilities in urgent need of upgrading.
The argument as has been put by Glyn Davis, vice-chancellor of The University of Melbourne, is that pump-priming university infrastructure would help to boost the economy, not just from the building activity generated but also because of the extra productive capacity it would create in universities in terms of teaching and research.
Previously universities have submitted 55 project applications to the Education Investment Fund's advisory board, only 14 of which have been short-listed for approval and it is these which are referred to in the joint media release from The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, and Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr (see below).
Universities Australia chief executive Glenn Withers said prior to the media release that UA: "fully endorses the crucial importance of clear and decisive action over Australia's current economic problems [and] looks to the central inclusion of education infrastructure in the policy initiatives. There are massive backlogs in both university teaching and research infrastructure in Australia, and there are mechanisms in place that can readily assist government in addressing these needs in the national interest."
Macquarie University vice-chancellor Steven Schwartz make the point: "At present, infrastructure spending is being fast-tracked to pump-prime the economy and keep it from slipping into recession, [but upgrading] educational and research infrastructure [as well] will repay its investment many times over both economically and in social justice."
______________________________________________________
The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, and Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, are pleased to invite 14 universities to bring proposals with bids for government funding worth nearly $700 million forward to the second stage of the 2009 funding round for strategic investments in capital and research facilities.
The timeframe for the second stage of the funding round is being accelerated in line with the Prime Minister’s announcement to fast track the Australian Government’s nation-building agenda.
This round focuses on capital expenditure and strengthening research facilities in Australian universities and the proposals selected highlight the diversity of the sector.
The proposals are across the teaching, learning and research spectrum, as well as a variety of disciplinary areas ranging from education and creative arts to medical research, engineering and science.
From a competitive field of 55, the following 14 expressions of interest have been invited to proceed to the second stage of 2009 funding round:
Macquarie University - Hearing Hub
Monash University - New Horizons Centre at Clayton Campus
Murdoch University - Pedagopolis Education Facility
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology - RMIT Design Hub
The Australian National University - ANU Giant Magellan Telescope
University of Adelaide - Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing
University of Ballarat - Innovation and Enterprise Centre
University of Canberra - The International Microsimulation Centre: A Research and Professional Development Facility for the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling
University of Melbourne - Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
University of New South Wales - Energy Technologies Building
University of Queensland - World-class Veterinary Science Facilities - The University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science - Gatton Campus
University of South Australia - Materials and Minerals Science Learning and Research Hub
University of Sydney - Centre for Obesity, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
The Chair of the HEEF [Higher Education Endowment Fund] Advisory Board, Mr Philip Marcus Clark AM, will soon be writing to successful institutions, outlining procedures for the stage 2 application process.
|
|
