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ACU welcomes Australian Universities Accord

ACU has welcomed the recommendations from the Australian Universities Accord and congratulated the review panel, chaired by Professor Mary O’Kane AC, for the extensive work on the Accord, released by the Minister for Education the Hon Jason Clare MP on Sunday 25 February.

ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis said the university was pleased to see the Accord had addressed some key areas for the university sector such as the urgent need to increase and diversify our national skills base, the creation of a broader and more robust research ecosystem, the need to embrace innovation, and equipping the sector to ensure it can play a crucial role in meeting a broad array of economic, productivity and social challenges.

Professor Skrbis said, “ACU strongly supports  the notion that  we need to increase representation of equity group students in our universities as part of the continuum of many changes required over the coming decades.

“We look forward to reviewing the recommendations over the coming weeks. Given the future-focused nature of the report, it’s important that   it enjoys robust conversation to ensure optimal outcomes for all. ”

Professor Skrbis also said that he was excited about the report’s focus on growing the higher education system and developing multiple pathways into higher education, as well as the emphasis on flexibility and diversity of offerings – aspects that are also very important to ACU.

“ACU has long advocated for the need for financial support for work placements for students, particularly those studying nursing and teaching, and we are very pleased to see the report highlighting this as well,” Professor Skrbis said.