Universities Australia warmly applauds the Rudd Government's significant announcements today injecting over $1 billion into Australia's universities; through new teaching and learning infrastructure initiatives, and fast-tracking of research fund allocations under the Higher Education Endowment Fund (HEEF).
"This major boost in public investment in universities announced by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Infrastructure today demonstrates the Government's commitment to providing the underpinnings for its Higher Education Revolution," Universities Australia CEO, Dr Glenn Withers said this morning.
"Universities are delighted to work with the Government on the nation-building agenda. These major investments will stimulate the economy, create jobs and facilitate the role of Australia's universities in sustaining economic growth," Dr Withers said.
"Under the new learning and teaching capital fund, universities will be able to plan for major infrastructure projects and to revitalise existing facilities from 1 July 2009," Dr Withers said.
"Most importantly, the teaching and learning capital fund will also help replenish the fabric of universities to support the student learning experience and deliver top quality, skilled graduates for Australia," he said.
The increased amount of funding for research infrastructure through the HEEF affirms the strength, diversity and quality of the projects that have been put forward to government by universities.
"These highly innovative projects in areas ranging from obesity and hearing to energy technologies and materials science promise great economic and social returns for Australia. It represents good public investment in building Australia's capacities as an internationally competitive knowledge economy," Dr Withers said.
"Major injections of support for the university sector combined with the parallel announcement of significant support for the vocational education and training sector and the community education providers are just what the country needs," Dr Withers said.
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