Category: Media Releases and Statements
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Media release: Go8 congratulates Minister Brendan O’Connor on his contribution to skilling Australia
The Group of Eight, comprising Australia’s research-intensive universities congratulates Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor on his contribution to the Australian Parliament and wishes him the best for the future. Minister O’Connor is widely respected for his unwavering commitment to ensuring Australia has the skilled workforce required to meet the…
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Media release: Go8 Roadmap to lift Australia’s R&D intensity to 3% of GDP
Australia’s future economic prosperity will hinge on private and public sectors working together to lift investment in research and development to bring Australia back on par with comparable OECD economies. The Group of Eight (Go8) comprising Australia’s leading top 100 globally ranked universities is calling on the Australian Government to…
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Media release: Global Research-Intensive Universities Berlin Statement
With rising geopolitical tensions and greater polarisation of views, 168 of the world’s university research powerhouses have come together issuing a joint call to their Governments to work with them to ensure we can realise the full potential of the distinctive research, innovation, and partnerships our universities offer. At the recent…
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Media release: International student visa hike – another nail in the coffin for international education
Australia’s international education sector has taken another massive hit with the Albanese Government’s decision to more than double the fee for international student visas in a blatant revenue raising move masked as deterring low quality students. Australia now has among the highest visa fees in the world. The current fee…
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Media release: Independent ARC Board will minimise political interference in research funding
The appointment of an independent Australian Research Council Board will strengthen the integrity of Australia’s research funding processes and the nation’s research capability. As Australia’s leading research -intensive universities, the Group of Eight advocated strongly for ARC reform and the establishment of an independent Board to approve research grants within…
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Go8 Australia-United Kingdom AUKUS Pillar II and Research Engagement Roundtable
The Group of Eight will today host the Go8 Australia-United Kingdom AUKUS Pillar II and Research Engagement Roundtable in London. The roundtable will be held at the Australian High Commission, with an opening address by Australian High Commissioner, Stephen Smith. The event will focus on the tri-lateral research and technology…
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Media release: Deepening Engagement through Research Security: High Quality Research Collaboration in a Contested Environment
Australia’s Group of Eight universities will host a high level dialogue in Japan to discuss pathways to safeguard research collaboration in a highly contested global environment. The Group of Eight /Japan Research Security Dialogue being held at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo will explore ways to securely navigate the changing…
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Joint Statement: The Group of Eight Universities and China Education Association for International Exchange deepening cooperation through the Australia-China University Presidents Forum in Adelaide
The Group of Eight Universities (Go8) and the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) affirm our commitment to working together to support high quality research partnerships and education collaboration that are of mutual benefit to Australia and China. Senior university representatives from 22 leading research-intensive Chinese universities, led by…
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Media release: Group of Eight Universities back Australian Human Rights Commission review into racism
The Group of Eight (Go8), representing Australia’s leading research-intensive universities supports the Albanese Government’s announcement to conduct an Australian Human Rights Commission led review into racism. In response to demonstrations on campuses, Go8 universities have collectively signed a set of five key principles that condemn all forms of hate and…
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Media release: Federal Budget just the beginning of reform for Australia’s research-based future – Group of Eight
The 2024-25 Budget has rightly focused on providing cost of living relief for students, however looking to the long term and measures to boost productivity growth by investing in research and development (R&D) will be key to underpinning Australia’s future prosperity. Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said: “Budget…
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Media statement: Go8 statement on changes to international education
Quotes attributable to Chief Executive Vicki Thomson The Group of Eight (Go8), which educates one in three international students who choose to study in Australia strongly supports an international education sector that is underpinned by quality and integrity – anything short of that is unacceptable. The Go8 supports Government measures…
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Media release: HECS/HELP changes deliver much needed cost of living relief for graduates
The Group of Eight (Go8), representing Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, says the government’s decision to change the way HECS/HELP loans are indexed would provide timely and much needed financial relief to graduates. Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said: “This measure will be welcomed by our graduates who are…
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Media release: Capping international students will not fix housing affordability or supply
An economic analysis undertaken by the Group of Eight (Go8) which represents Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, demonstrates there is no direct link between international student numbers and the nation’s current housing crisis. Go8 universities either provide or facilitate access to accommodation that caters for over 83,000 students. This is equivalent…
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Media release: Enabling critical defence research collaboration will underpin national security
The passing of amendments to Australia’s Defence Controls Act will streamline the flow of defence trade between AUKUS partners and support critical research collaboration, underpinning Australia’s national security. Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said “this legislation paves the way for collaboration in critical defence research with our AUKUS partners. It’s…
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Media release: ARC reform will strengthen Australia’s research capability
The passing of the Australian Research Council Amendment (Review Response) Bill 2023 will strengthen Australia’s research capability and help ensure the sustainability of our world class research. Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said: “The Go8, as the recipient of 70 per cent of ARC funding has driven the…
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Media release: Passage of Defence Trade Controls legislation is key to AUKUS, defence research and national security
The success of AUKUS, Australia’s future research capability and our national security depend on the passage of legislation in Parliament this week to reform Australia’s export controls regime. The landmark reforms will effectively create a research Free Trade Zone between the United States and Australia in areas of sensitive defence…
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Media release: Research collaboration underpins Australia’s long-standing relationship with ASEAN
Research collaboration and education partnerships between ASEAN nations and Australia will continue to underpin and build regional resilience in a challenging geopolitical environment and will be a focus of the CEO Forum of the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne today. Group of Eight (Go8) Chief Executive Vicki Thomson will…
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Universities Accord recognises crucial role of research and education as the key to Australia’s economic future
The Group of Eight (Go8) strongly supports the focus of the Universities Accord final report and congratulates the Accord Panel, led by Professor Mary O’Kane, on recognising the critical role of research and education in our future economic and social prosperity. The landmark report rightly identifies that increasing investment in…
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Media release: Go8 supports National Action Plan on student safety
The Group of Eight (Go8) comprising Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, are united in ensuring all students and staff feel safe, supported, and welcome. Go8 Chief Executive, Vicki Thomson said the release of the Action Plan to Address Gender-Based Violence in Higher Education and the establishment of a National Student Ombudsman…
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Joint media release: PhD students must be exempt from changes to TGV age limit
The Group of Eight and Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations incorporated (CAPA) Australia’s capacity to attract talented global researchers will be undermined by proposed changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa (485) as outlined in the Government’s recently released Migration Strategy. Reducing the age limit for eligibility for the Temporary Graduate…
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University research is at the forefront of Australia Day Honours
The impact of university research on the lives of Australians is front and centre in the 2024 Australia Day Honours List. “Australia’s world class academics and researchers have been recognised at the highest levels for their innovative discoveries, their life saving work, their commitment to finding solutions to complex challenges,…
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Professor Mark Scott, AO to lead the Group of Eight as it marks a 25th anniversary milestone
The Group of Eight (Go8) Board has appointed University of Sydney Vice Chancellor, Professor Mark Scott AO as its new Chair and reappointed its CEO, Vicki Thomson, for a further five year term. Professor Scott, who has served as Go8 Deputy Chair since 1 February 2023 replaces former ANU Vice…
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Media release: US – Australia defence research collaboration essential for AUKUS agreement
US – Australia defence research collaboration essential for AUKUS agreement The passage of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) through the US Congress overnight will enable seamless research collaboration in key areas of defence, and represents an important step towards bringing the AUKUS agreement to fruition, according to Australia’s research-intensive universities.…
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Media release: Horse-trading between Research and Equity will undermine Australia’s future economic prosperity
Australia needs more, not less investment in research and development. The cuts to university research funding outlined in the Mid-Year Economic and Financial Outlook (MYEFO) will have significant consequences for Australia’s economic future and undermine our world class research sector. MYEFO contains over $102 million in cuts to university research…