University of Adelaide Retiring V-C Tells Federal Government Like It Is. (June 29, 2012)

James McWha retires today after 10 years as vice-chancellor of The University of Adelaide.

He told The Australian's Verity Edwards "(International student funding) is a necessary part of our system but, to be honest, I think it's slightly immoral, amoral at best, because you like to think that you're helping countries that haven't built large education systems, like Bangladesh, Vietnam or wherever, but the reality is you're helping yourself."

Professor McWha was referring to international students comprising almost 30% of the university's student population, but revenue from their fees was greater than the government's contribution. In his view Australia is significantly below other OECD countries in funding higher education and decries our universities' over dependence on overseas students' fees.

Ms Edwards reports that in the retiring vice-chancellors view "while the federal government had committed to many [the Bradley Review's] recommendations, it had not increased funding. Increasing student fees and targeting corporate partnerships were ways to raise funds, but Professor McWha said those opportunities were limited. One of the only viable alternatives, he said, was to accept more international students".

A spokeswomen for Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans would not be drawn regarding the matters of international students or the Bradley recommendations referred to by Professor McWha but fell back on repeating that universities are being funded at a record of $38.8 billion over four years. "For the first time ever, the government is funding bachelor-level places at universities based on student demand, providing an additional $4.5bn over the next three years", and "New indexation arrangements will deliver an extra $3bn over the same period."

In addition, no mention seems to have been made by Senator Evans spokeswoman as to our stagnant position relative to our OECD cohort which surely is a matter of consequence.