Category: Media Releases and Statements

Australia’s research-intensive universities have backed in sweeping changes to the nation’s migration system noting that quality and integrity are at the heart of the reform package. The Group of Eight (Go8), which educates 173,000 international students both on and offshore, and who are all ranked in top 100 universities in the world,…

The Group of Eight (Go8) congratulates Professor Sharon Pickering on her appointment as the next Vice Chancellor and President of Monash University. Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said Professor Pickering was a highly respected leader in Australia’s education sector and recognised both domestically and internationally for her expertise…

Group of Eight (Go8) universities are committed to providing a safe environment for our 450,000 students and 50,000 staff. The Go8 comprises Australia’s leading research-intensive universities and are united in ensuring all students and staff feel safe and supported. Student safety is a core component, absolutely non-negotiable in ensuring every…

Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2030 recognises that our world class research universities are integral to the nation becoming a global leader in cyber innovation. Cyber Security is central to the prosperity of a modern, competitive and productive Australia, and the Group of Eight supports this national approach. As noted in…

The Group of Eight (Go8) will highlight the value of Australia-India research collaboration and stress its commitment to educating high quality career ready graduates during this week’s delegation to India, led by Education Minister Jason Clare. Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said Australia’s research-intensive universities had developed deep research and…

The Group of Eight (Go8) is in lockstep with our major strategic partners, as outlined today in the Joint Leaders’ Innovation Alliance statement issued by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Joe Biden. As Australia’s powerhouse research universities, who conduct 70 per cent of Australia’s university research and invest some…

Research-intensive universities critical to skilling Australia’s future workforce The first Annual Jobs and Skills Report released today by Jobs and Skills Australia confirms the key role of our universities in ensuring Australia’s future prosperity and economic growth.   The report marks a significant milestone in securing Australia’s future workforce through a…

Australia’s research-intensive Group of Eight (Go8) universities have once again been confirmed as Australia’s leading universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 released today. Six of Australia’s research-intensive Go8 universities are ranked in the top 100 of the global rankings with all in the top 150…

Australia and the United Kingdom’s leading research universities have signed a formal agreement to increase two-way research collaboration, boost commercialisation activity and build trusted partnerships in areas of sensitive research. The signing of the “Australia-UK Strategic Alliance on Research and Innovation” follows a series of dialogues between the Group of…

The Group of Eight (Go8) – representing Australia’s leading research-intensive universities – is strongly supportive of taking a forward-looking approach to building a dynamic, productive, sustainable economy to support our collective future. Working Future: The Australian Government’s White Paper on Jobs and Opportunities rightly identifies our education system as central…

The Group of Eight (Go8) universities, who undertake 70 percent of Australia’s university-based research and educate 440,000 of the nation’s university students have developed a set of principles to guide the approach to the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools across its members. Go8 universities are committed to the…

The Group of Eight comprising Australia’s research-intensive universities will continue to work closely with the Australian Government and Chief Scientist to develop effective national science and research priorities.The draft priority areas released today – moving to net zero in future, supporting healthier communities, building a more productive and innovative economy,…

Australia’s most research intensive universities, the Group of Eight (Go8) have called for an urgent and renewed focus on research funding reform to address the core underlying problem in Australia’s higher education system, in its response to the Universities Accord Interim Report. The Go8, which undertakes 70 percent of all…

1 / 1 24 August 2023     Research Universities are central to boosting productivity growth to meet IGR challenges Australia’s world leading research universities will play a fundamental role in supporting the Australian Government and community to navigate the challenges outlined in the 2023 Intergenerational Report. Population growth is slowing…

The Albanese Government’s commitment to strengthening Australia’s research system by accepting the recommendations from the Australian Research Council (ARC) Review is essential to the nation’s long-term interests. “Implementation of these recommendations will improve the governance of the ARC, strengthen the integrity of decision-making processes and minimise political interference, which has…

The Universities Accord is a once in a generation opportunity to shape a higher education ecosystem capable of delivering equitable solutions to the challenges we face and underpin Australia’s future prosperity. Education Minister Jason Clare has rightly called for big, bold, spiky ideas to be considered during the Accord process,…

Australia’s research-intensive universities have achieved unprecedented recognition in the prestigious QS World University Rankings 2024, with three Group of Eight (Go8) universities ranked in the top 20 globally and all eight in the top 100. “This is an outstanding achievement for Australia’s higher education sector. All Go8 universities have cemented…

The Group of Eight Universities sincerely congratulates Professor Margaret Gardner AC on her appointment as the 30th Governor of Victoria. The former Go8 Chair and current Monash University Vice Chancellor has played an integral role in public policy broadly and in shaping and nurturing Australia’s higher education sector over many…

The Group of Eight (Go8) – representing Australia’s leading research-intensive universities – welcomes the significant announcement by the Australian Research Council (ARC) that they will develop and publish a detailed Countering Foreign Interference Framework. “Research is fundamental to Australia’s ability to remain competitive in a world increasingly driven by knowledge…

“The 2023 Budget recognises that a highly skilled workforce is critical for Australia’s future, and new funding for 4000 additional university places over the next four years in STEM disciplines will help generate that workforce; especially, to support Defence priorities,” says Vicki Thomson Go8 Chief Executive. “While the Group of…

The Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement is a landmark deal being the first in the history of any trade deal signed by the Australian Government to include an Innovation chapter. The Group of Eight (Go8), which undertakes 70 percent of all university-based research in Australia, says the inclusion of an Innovation…

The much-awaited release of the Defence Strategic Review has highlighted the importance of Australia developing and advancing Pillar 2 of AUKUS “in the shortest possible time”. “The Group of Eight (Go8), comprising Australia’s research-intensive universities, stands ready to support the nation’s defence research effort in bringing this Pillar to successful…

Recommendations from a review of the Australian Research Council (ARC) are a vital first step towards ensuring Australia’s research funding agency is fit for purpose and can meet the future needs of the nation. Group of Eight (Go8) Chief Executive, Vicki Thomson, said all of the recommendations from Australia’s research-intensive…

The Group of Eight (Go8) which represents Australia’s leading research-intensive universities – with seven of the eight members in the world’s top 100 – has chosen a bold approach for its submission to the Universities Accord, in what it describes as “a blank canvas, once in a generation” offer to…