Category: News
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Publication: Facts of Distinction 2025
Facts of Distinction
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Go8 submission to the inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia
Joint Standing Committee on Migration Introduction The Group of Eight (Go8) comprises Australia’s leading research-intensive universities. Collectively, we educate one in three international students and conduct around 70 per cent of Australia’s university-based research. This includes educating over 160,000 international students annually – an important pipeline for future permanent skilled…
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Vale Professor Emma Johnston AO
The Group of Eight (Go8) is devastated by the passing of Professor Emma Johnston AO, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne. This is an unfathomable loss for Australia’s higher education and research community, and for all who knew and worked with Emma. Professor Johnston was an exceptional individual and leader,…
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Media release: Go8 Expert Oversight and Implementation Committee on Antisemitism
The Group of Eight (Go8), representing Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, has established an Expert Oversight and Implementation Committee on Antisemitism to lead decisive action to eradicate antisemitism on university campuses. Earlier this week the Go8 Board confirmed that the committee will be Chaired by distinguished Australian, Dr Alan Finkel AC, bringing exceptional leadership…
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STATEMENT FROM THE GROUP OF EIGHT
The Group of Eight (Go8) – Australia’s leading universities – unequivocally condemns the heinous terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, which struck peaceful families and community members gathering for a Hanukkah celebration. We extend our deepest condolences to victims, their families, and the Jewish community, and we stand in solidarity with…
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Media release: Go8 Board Appoints New Leadership
Go8 Board Appoints New Leadership: Professor Deborah Terry AC as Chair, Professor Sharon Pickering as Deputy Chair. The Board of the Group of Eight (Go8), representing Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, has appointed Professor Deborah Terry AC, Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Queensland, as Chair of the Go8, and…
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Media release: National AI Plan will drive productivity and innovation
The Australian Government’s National AI Plan 2025 will underwrite Australia’s future and secure our place in the global AI ecosystem. The Group of Eight acknowledges the comprehensive nature of the strategy which aims to ensure that all Australians are up skilled to use AI to enhance their work and life,…
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Media release: Additional university places will secure Australia’s medical workforce
The Albanese Government’s decision to fund an additional 100 university places each year to train Australian doctors is a critical investment in the future of healthcare in Australia, and will ensure a secure supply of domestically trained medical practitioners. Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said the announcement comes…
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Keynote address by Vicki Thomson to 2025 UWA Public Policy Institute Higher Education Summit
UWA Public Policy Institute Higher Education Summit 2025, Fit for Purpose? The Future of Governance, Regulation & Impact of the Australian Higher Education Sector The politics of higher education – know when to hold and when to fold Keynote speech from Vicki Thomson, Chief Executive, Group of Eight Universities *CHECK…
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Media release: From Trade to Knowledge: The Australia–EU FTA Advantage
This week’s visit by European Commission Trade Chief Maroš Šefčovič marks a pivotal moment to shift the Australia–EU Free Trade Agreement beyond goods and services—towards building ‘knowledge trade routes.’ Central to this vision is securing Australia’s full participation in Horizon Europe, unlocking opportunities for research collaboration, innovation, and shared expertise.…
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Go8 submission to the Inquiry into the Education Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025
Education and Employment Legislation Committee Introduction The Group of Eight (Go8), comprising Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, reaffirms its commitment to a higher education and research sector built on quality and integrity. As outlined in our submission to the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024 [Provisions]…
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Debate@Go8 – Episode 53 – Professor Sharon Pickering, Vice-Chancellor, Monash University
Professor Sharon Pickering is an internationally renowned criminologist who has worked with governments worldwide to combat sex trafficking and family violence and is a passionate advocate for the benefits of international education. Recorded May 2025.
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Debate@Go8 Mini: Professor Raina MacIntyre on the Consequences of the MRFF Funding Cap
Renowned epidemiologist, Professor Raina MacIntyre from the Kirby Institute at UNSW, tells Go8 CE Vicki Thomson how the $650 million cap on funding from the Medical Research Future Fund is not only putting at risk her own project for an AI-enabled early-warning system for pandemics – one-of-a-kind innovation in Australia…
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Debate@Go8 Mini: Dr Adam McKay on the Consequences of the MRFF Funding Cap
Dr Adam McKay from the Monash Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre at Monash University tells The Group of Eight CE Vicki Thomson that missing out on MRFF funding for his research around best-practice care for people suffering traumatic brain injury, was a lost opportunity to improve the way that care is…
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Debate@Go8 Mini: Dr Amanda Poprzeczny on the Consequences of the MRFF Funding Cap
Dr Amanda Poprzeczny from the University of Adelaide Medical School, wanted to fund research into obstructive sleep apnea in pregnant women – and whether treatment for the condition can improve outcomes for mother and baby. Sleep apnea during pregnancy can lead to hypertension, pre-eclampsia and potentially, pregnancy loss. But her…
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Debate@Go8 Mini: Professor Simon Craig on the Consequences of the MFRR Funding Cap
Professor Craig tells Go8 CE Vicki Thomson in this Debate@Go8 Mini that without the MRFF grant for a trial – which was to run across several hospitals across Australia and New Zealand – doctors will miss out on the information that they need to properly inform their care of kids with chronic asthma in this…
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Debate@Go8 Mini: Professor Graham Hillis on the Consequences of the MRFF Funding Cap
Professor Hillis also tells Go8 CE Vicki Thomson in this Debate@Go8 Mini podcast that loss of access to international trials for Australian researchers poses a risk to our ongoing international research collaboration if international partners were to give up on us – leaving us behind.
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Debate@Go8 Mini: Associate Professor Lexine Stapinski on the Consequences of the MFRR Funding Cap
The latest data shows that 1-in-3 young people at the age of 24 have an alcohol-use disorder, says Associate Professor Lexine Stapinski from the University of Sydney. To deal with that astounding finding, she wanted to develop and trial an innovative e-health treatment program, co-designed with young people and service…
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Debate@Go8 Mini: Professor David Mackey AO on the Consequences of the MRFF Funding Cap
In this Debate@Go8 Mini podcast episode, Professor Mackey tells Go8 CE Vicki Thomson that the loss of this research will cost Australia much more than the cost of the MRFF grant, due to the expense of interventions that will be needed to deal with the effects of myopia on kids’ eye health as they grow…
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Debate@Go8 Mini: Dr George Karystianis on the Consequences of the MRFF Funding Cap
Dr Georgios Karystianis from UNSW is now on his fourth attempt to secure a Medical Research Future Fund grant to fund his research aimed at filling serious gaps in national domestic violence surveillance, by developing new data infrastructure based on text-mining millions of police reports. The insights gained from this…
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Media release: Go8 Urges Government to Scrap MRFF Cap, Unlock $1 billion for life-saving medical research
In a week when we celebrate the vital contribution of scientific research through the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science, the Group of Eight (Go8) is urging the Australian Government to act now to remove the $650 million cap on the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). Go8 researchers will join Member…
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Go8 submission to the Inquiry into Building Asia Capability in Australia through the Education System and Beyond
Standing Committee on Education Introduction The Go8 supports the Committee’s broad and strategic approach to building Australia’s Asia capability – recognising that success requires more than language proficiency alone. While language remains a critical tool for fostering cultural understanding and deepening relationships, Australia’s future as a middle power in the…
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Go8 submission on the ‘Modernising and Strengthening TEQSA’s Powers’ consultation paper
Department of Education Introduction The Go8 supports TEQSA’s role as part of a high quality, well-functioning and student-focused higher education system. As Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, we welcome reforms that enhance TEQSA’s ability to collaborate across the system, co-create tangible improvements for students and providers, uphold quality and strengthen public…