Universities Australia welcomes the Commonwealth Government's decision to augment the current allocation from the Education Investment Fund (EIF) by $200 million, and its advice that successful projects from Round 3 will be announced over the next several weeks.
"The Government's Education Investment Fund has committed $4 billion for development of vital teaching and research facilities throughout the tertiary education sector since 2008, and this has been an impetus for an additional $6 billion injected by the education sector itself, together with industry and community partners," Universities Australia Chief Executive, Dr Glenn Withers said.
"Universities have, however, been anxious about future EIF arrangements following the Government's deferral of $200 million of EIF allocations as part of its Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook decisions in November last year. Equally, delays in announcing the EIF Round 3 outcomes, recommended to government by the EIF Advisory Board in February 2010, have been of growing concern.
"Bringing forward EIF allocations and resolving the delay in announcing successful projects will allow Australia to enjoy the social and economic benefits from skills and innovation earlier, and reduce uncertainty within the sector in planning for infrastructure development and renewal.
"Universities Australia now looks forward to working with government on the timing and implementation of future EIF rounds, and the longer term enhancement of the EIF," Dr Withers said.
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