Category: News
-
Go8 Submission to the Quality Initial Teacher Education Review
2 August 2021Quality Initial Teacher Education Review SecretariatDepartment of Education, Skills and Employment The Group of Eight (Go8) is pleased to make this submission to the Quality Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Review. The Go8 represents Australia’s leading research-intensive universities with seven of its members ranked consistently in the world’s top…
-
Debate@Go8 – Episode 4 – Smoke Taint
The University of Adelaide’s Professor Kerry Wilkinson joins Debate@Go8 to discuss how her team may hold the key for protecting grapes from the impact of bushfires. Recorded June 2021.
-
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, Review of the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill 2020 and Statutory Review of the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 – Appearance by Dr Matthew Brown Deputy CE of Group of Eight Universities (Go8)
Canberra 9 July Thank you for the opportunity to appear today to discuss the Group of Eight’s submission on the review of the Security Legislation Amendment Bill dealing with Critical Infrastructure. The Committee has the Go8 submission and recommendations, so I will keep this opening statement to detail that the…
-
Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade into funding for public research into foreign policy issues. Appearance by Ms Vicki Thomson CE of Group of Eight Universities.
Canberra, 7 July 2021 Thank you Chair and committee members for the opportunity to appear today and discuss the Group of Eight’s submission on funding for public research into foreign policy issues. It is important for me to state upfront that the Group of Eight is strongly aligned with the…
-
Media statement: Go8 universities committed to providing a safe, secure environment for students and staff
Group of Eight universities are committed to protecting academic freedom and freedom of speech, while ensuring all international and domestic students have a positive and rewarding experience while studying in Australia. The issues raised in today’s Human Rights Watch (HRW) report are concerning and must be addressed – harassment or…
-
Media statement: Go8 universities critical to facing intergenerational challenges
The Group of Eight (Go8) acknowledges the important role Australia’s higher education sector must play in meeting the challenges outlined today by the Federal Treasurer in the 2021 Intergenerational Report. “Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has highlighted three central challenges facing future generations of Australians: our rapidly ageing population, the increasing pressure…
-
Debate@Go8 – Episode 3 – International Students (Part 2)
Go8 CE Vicki Thomson discusses options for the safe return of international students in a changed global environment. Recorded June 2021.
-
Media release: Go8 universities welcome support for the safe return of international students
The Australian Government’s decision to approve the South Australian Government’s plan for the safe and secure return of international students is a major step towards ensuring the sustainability of our international education sector, said Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson. While further work is yet to be done, the…
-
Media release: Quality and impact of our university research must always be the priority – Group of Eight
A review into the way in which our university research is assessed by Government underscores the critical importance of both excellence and impact of our national research effort. The final report of the review of Australia’s primary university research assessment exercises Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) and Engagement and…
-
Debate@Go8 – Episode 2 – International Students (Part 1)
Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson discusses the importance of international students to Australia’s university sector and the nation’s broader economy. Recorded June 2021.
-
Media statement: Go8 walks the talk in its commitment to Australian foreign policy
Group of Eight (Go8) universities have lodged over 4,000 international arrangements for review as part of the Australian Government’s Foreign Relations Scheme (FRS), demonstrating the commitment of Go8 members to supporting Australian foreign policy. The Government’s FRS makes provision for the Foreign Minister to review and potentially cancel or vary…
-
Media release: NSW government plan for return of international students deserves the support of the federal government – Group of Eight
A plan approved by the New South Wales Government for the safe return of international students is a significant step forward for our universities, our students and our local economies. Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said the NSW Government had shown tenacity and leadership in putting together a plan that…
-
Speech: ACBC Australia-China Education Symposium, Doltone House Hyde Park
9 June 2021 Vicki Thomson, Chief Executive, Group of Eight Thankyou for the invitation to speak to you today. You may not expect a CE of a university organisation to put it so personally, when I say caring for, and worrying about our students from China, and continuing to keep…
-
Debate@Go8 – Episode 1 – Foreign Interference
Group of Eight CE Vicki Thomson discusses recent allegations of foreign interference in Australian universities. Recorded June 2021.
-
In the media: When will uni life get back to normal?
Life Matters – ABC Radio – June 8 2021 For many Australians, life has been returning back to normal this year, but, for uni students, it all feels “very 2020”. What could help students get the most out of this year? Plus how Australians feel about organ donation. And, the…
-
In the media: Coronavirus: Industry urges Scott Morrison to outline a roadmap to open the international border
Greg Brown – The Australian – June 3 2021 The tourism, agriculture and education sectors are urging Scott Morrison to outline a roadmap to open the international border, warning the “costs of Australia’s isolation continue to multiply”. Ahead of a meeting of national cabinet on Friday, the National Farmers Federation,…
-
Go8 Submission to the Australian Strategy for International Education 2021-2030
Department of Education, Skills and EmploymentBy Email Introduction The Group of Eight (Go8) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the development of Australia’s Strategy for International Education 2021-2030. Please note this submission represents the views of the Go8 which leads policy and advocacy for Australia’s consistently leading-research intensive universities with…
-
Media release: Startup Year scheme is a good start says Go8
Labor’s policy proposal to support the establishment and growth of potentially 2000 new start-ups via loans of up to $11,300 per entrepreneur will help foster innovation and boost economic growth in key areas, said Group of Eight (Go8) Chief Executive Vicki Thomson. Labor’s policy proposal to support the establishment and…
-
In the media: Academic Freedom
Letters to the Editor – The Australian – 13 May 2021 The Group of Eight (Go8) supports the freedom of our academics to comment in the public domain. This is part of the dissemination and evaluation of knowledge that is the lifeblood of university activity. However, that freedom comes with…
-
Media release: The Go8 has one hand tied behind its back in supporting a constructive Budget
The Group of Eight (Go8) which represents Australia’s leading research-intensive universities and undertakes almost 70% of Australian university research activity applauds the Government’s commitment to a budget which will secure Australia’s economic recovery as we emerge from the catastrophic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic – but this won’t happen without…
-
Group of Eight statement on the COVID-19 situation in India
The rapidly escalating number of COVID-19 infections in India and the suffering it is causing is both heartbreaking and distressing. The Group of Eight (Go8) stands in solidarity with India as they manage the latest wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our thoughts are with our Indian friends, students, staff, research…
-
In the media: Expert warns about repercussions from Australia’s India travel ban
Jade Gailberger – The Australian – May 3 2021 India could “rethink” its vital relationship with Australia if the Morrison government’s travel ban drags on, an expert has warned. Australian industries have been encouraged to strengthen their ties with India after significant trade tensions with China. But the higher education…
-
In the media: Offshore competitors target our overseas student market
28 April 2021 – The Australian – Vicki Thomson Just as households and businesses tightened their belts last year, so too did Australian universities. Jobs were cut, expenditure was scaled back to basic levels, capital works were put on hold and planned research activity for which funding had already been…
-
In the media: Universities holding out hope for return of international students
RN Breakfast with Fran Kelly – ABC Radio Universities have agreed to subsidise the return of international students under a plan by Victoria to revive the higher education economy. Victoria is the first state to submit a formal plan to the Commonwealth which proposes 120 foreign students and others be…