Universities Australia’s Keep it Clever: Policy Statement 2016 argued that Australia’s universities are uniquely placed to produce the next generation of innovators and career-ready graduates that will create and fill the jobs of the future. Our universities are the only institutions that link all elements of advanced scholarship, skills creation, research, innovation and development. They are key contributors to Australia’s economic future, providing the building blocks for our transition to a productive, diverse and internationally competitive knowledge economy. Key facts and figures on the Australian university sector are reported in Universities Australia’s Higher Education and Research Facts and Figures (PDF 3.4MB).
The university sector alone cannot drive the innovation needed to secure Australia’s future prosperity. Increasing industry recognition of the benefits from research and innovation, and galvanising businesses to become active partners is crucial. Leadership and support from governments at all levels can help provide the necessary catalyst for change.
The Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA) is a positive step in providing the necessary policy architecture for Australia to evolve into an innovative and creative nation. The current debate on higher education and workforce policy would greatly benefit from an injection of the same longer-term, whole-of-government aspirational thinking that led to, and underpinned, the development of the NISA.
