Government To Consider Fate Of Greenwich University
21 April 1999
The National Tertiary Education Union has written to Federal, State and Territory Education Ministers calling on them to review accreditation procedures and prevent recognition of courses offered by Greenwich University.
The Ministers will meet tomorrow in order to consider a request by Greenwich University for listing under the Australian Qualifications Framework. If approved, the request would lead to courses offered by Greenwich University being given equal status with established University courses: a move which would tarnish the international reputation of Australian Universities.
\"Greenwich University’s request is cause for great concern.\" Dr. Carolyn Allport, NTEU President said. Unlike other Australian universities, Greenwich was established in the absence of appropriate scrutiny including a lack of quality assurance. It would be improper to regard Greenwich’s courses as being equal to those from other universities. We have therefore asked the Ministers to decline their request.\"
\"The legislation establishing Greenwich University is deficient in its lack of provisions relating to internal governance, reporting requirements and other like matters addressed in the Acts of Parliament establishing all other Australian Universities.\"
\"Greenwich have not established their academic and financial credentials nor their entry requirements as being consistent with other Australian universities. Little is known about why Greenwich has ceased to operate in its previous locations, and the Ministers should consider these matters seriously.\"
\"The Education Ministers also need to strengthen procedures to scrutinise proposals to establish new universities, in order to maintain the quality and reputation of Australia’s universities.\"