NTEU TO LAUNCH "OUR UNIVERSITIES MATTER" CAMPAIGN
23 July 2008
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) will launch a major campaign tomorrow, Thursday 24 July, under the banner of “Our Universities Matter – Investing in People and Society”.
Details of the launch are:
THURSDAY 24 JULY 2008, 12.45 PM
KALEIDE THEATRE,
RMIT UNIVERSITY, SWANSTON ST MELBOURNE (enter from Swanston St)
LAUNCH PARTICIPANTS:
Professor Margaret Gardner, Vice-Chancellor, RMIT University (host)
Dr Carolyn Allport, National President, NTEU
Sarah Cole, Victorian President, National Union of Students (NUS)
Nigel Palmer, President, Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA)
Bradley Smith, Executive Director, Federation of Australian Scientific & Technological Societies (FASTS)
NTEU National President Dr Carolyn Allport said today, “The NTEU will be launching its ‘Charter for University Renewal’, a draft statement of underlying principles around which we hope to reach a consensus with the key stakeholders in the higher education sector about the sector’s future shape and direction.”
“In our view, the key issues that should be addressed by the Rudd Government include achieving higher levels of government funding and better funding mechanisms; protecting university independence and freedom of inquiry; and making higher education more affordable and improving student services.”
Dr Allport said that the NTEU is launching the Charter as a vehicle for an on-going roundtable discussion with the sector’s main constituents, and then with the Federal Government.
“We are hopeful that we can reach some common views around these and other issues so that we can more effectively speak to the Government with one voice.”
The Rudd Government has initiated a number of major reviews into the higher education sector. NTEU will seek the support of staff, universities, peak organisations and the community in campaigning for real improvements for the sector to come from these reviews.
For further information and comment:
Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU National President, (03) 9254 1910
Media enquiries: Michael Evans, NTEU National Organiser, (03) 9254 1910