Peter Coaldrake and Lawrence Stedman Have Another Book Launch. (April 27, 2013)

On New Year's Day 1998 On The Brink: Australian Universities Confronting Their Future (ISBN: 978 0 7022 3050 9) by Peter Coaldrake Lawrence Stedman was published by the University of Queensland Press which announced it as:

In the wake of the Dawkins reforms and the controversial West review, the beleaguered tertiary sector now confronts an increasingly uncertain future. This timely, stimulating study raises key issues about Australia's turbulent university sector, including:· the role of universities in Australia's future -- degree factories or communities of scholars? -- the place of research in the university -- competition from new education providers -- technological change and "virtual" universities -- reconciling academic tradition with contemporary realities. Always lively and easily readable, Coaldrake and Stedman have collaborated to create a book of great worth to all those interested in post secondary and university education.

Now, 15 years later and the passing of the Howard, Rudd and Gillard governments, Professor Coaldrake and Dr Stedman have written a sequel: Raising the Stakes: Gambling with the future of universities (ISBN: 978 0 70 22 4 9 ) which becomes available "for purchase" on May Day. This time the UQP announcement looks back, if not in anger, certainly with some sorrow, and toward the future with trepidation:

Prosperity in the future depends on our ability to play our part in a more globalised, technologically-enhanced knowledge economy. Universities are widely seen as portals to success, and an ever greater proportion of Australians expect to attend at least one of these widely respected institutions. However, despite strong demand, universities are under pressure. They face constant criticism about their relevance and responsiveness, are subject to regular government review and reform, and their budgets have been squeezed for decades. International rankings, global competition for students and the rise of new providers have heightened the risks of falling behind. Many academics are unhappy with their lot, and students are paying more. While solutions for these problems have been put forward, few have been completely resolved. It is widely held that universities will have to change radically if Australia is to compete on the world stage.

This important new book looks at the future of Australia’s universities in the light of many years of nationally-driven reform efforts, and the persistence of a number of ‘policy myths’ about what can and should happen next. Peter Coaldrake and Lawrence Stedman argue that neither the market nor central government will be able to shape higher education in an optimal way. Facing greater competition and reduced prospects for public funding, universities themselves must provide the impetus and take responsibility for change as they adapt to complex and uncertain futures.

March 13^th -- The Australian's Higher Education Supplement nominates Australia's Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb, as the most influential individual as regards higher education in Australia, and on April 14 Professor Chubb launches Raising the Stakes: Gambling with the future of universities.

A couple of excerpts from the Chief Scientist:

The university is an institution with the aim of expanding minds and thinking laterally, and yet their effective management often requires practical, pragmatic thinking.

And they are expensive; but “We have much to lose if we allow our universities to slide into mediocrity. The fate of our universities is the fate of our society.”

So we see them criticised by politicians, sometimes by members of the community, sometimes by members of the business community – because they can’t (and I would argue shouldn’t) snap to change when somebody – whomever – has a new dream, a new vision or even an old one revisited, or the ‘they aren’t what they were in my day’ line;

This book by Peter Coaldrake and Lawrence Stedman should be compulsory reading for those who want to make a contribution to the development of our universities. The authors do what good academics do: gather the facts, analyse the evidence, look for constructive ways to improve on the evidence and put ideas to the test. ...they write for people who want to know more – in an easy and readable style.

[The authors'] exploration of opportunities, as well as threats makes this one of the most comprehensive overviews of higher education in Australia.

Last year Science & Technology Australia (FASTS) undertook to deliver a copy of Mark Henderson's The Geek Manifesto to every federal parliamentarian. What percentage even opened the cover let alone read even part of it is a moot question. But perhaps the Chief Scientist as the influential numero uno of the sector would have greater luck if he were to inveigle the University of Queensland Press to contribute 226 gift-wrapped copies of Raising the Stakes: Gambling with the future of universities to our federal parliamentarian's ($7,446.70 retail) or if it could be classed as a charitable donation, TFW might go halves with Professor Chubb.

Indeed, Professor Chubb makes the point: "This book is learned without pomposity; educational without being patronising; comprehensive without getting bogged down in minutiae... And they write for people who want to know more – in an easy and readable style."