Tag: Vicki Thomson
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Debate@Go8 Mini: 2026 EABC Mission – Peter Halliday, CEO, Siemens Australia & New Zealand
Back on the European Australian Business Council (EABC) Mission to Europe bus, Go8 CE Vicki Thomson caught up with Peter Halliday, CEO of Siemens Australia and New Zealand, and EABC board member.
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Debate@Go8 Mini: 2026 EABC Mission – Professor Bronwyn Fox AO, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, UNSW
Go8 CE Vicki Thomson chats with Professor Bronwyn Fox AO, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) at the University of NSW on a bus in Helsinki during the 2026 EABC Mission to Europe.
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Debate@Go8 Mini: 2026 EABC Mission – H.E. Gabriele Visentin, EU Ambassador to Australia
Vicki caught up with H.E. Gabriele Visentin, European Union Ambassador to Australia, outside NATO HQ during the 2026 European Australian Business Council (EABC) Mission to Europe.
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Debate@Go8 Mini: 2026 EABC Mission – Professor Duncan Ivison, Vice-Chancellor, Manchester University
Just before kicking off the 2026 EABC Mission to Europe, Go8 CE Vicki Thomson had a really great chat with Professor Duncan Ivison, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester IN Manchester.
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Media release: Positive Signal for International Education Undermined by Record Student Visa Fees
Holding the migration program (National Planning Level) at 295,000 in 2027 is a significant and welcome decision. It sends an important signal that the Australian Government recognises the economic, workforce and national interest value of international students. It acknowledges that international education is not simply an export industry, but a…
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Media release: Supporting Australia’s national interest through trusted global engagement
The Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026 introduced into the Parliament today contains several welcome measures to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden on universities while maintaining appropriate oversight of international engagement. The proposed reforms streamline notification requirements, simplify assessments of institutional autonomy, and remove approval requirements for…
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Media release: Australia Prices Itself Further Out of the Global Talent Market
Australia already charges the highest student visa fees in the world. A further 25 per cent increase does not simply add to the cost of studying here – it entrenches Australia’s position as the most expensive destination for international students. The decision comes at precisely the wrong time. Australia is…
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Media release: Go8 achieves historic results in QS World University Rankings 2027
The QS World University Rankings 2027 ranking reinforces Australia’s reputation as a leading research nation with exceptional world‑class institutions. Australia’s research-intensive universities have delivered one of the nation’s strongest ever performances in the QS World University Rankings 2027, underscoring their global standing even as national investment declines. Australia has delivered…
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Debate@Go8 – Episode 55 – Maria Cristina Russo, Deputy Director-General for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation, European Commission
We examine the importance of Australia’s imminent association to the world’s largest research and innovation programme with the European Commission’s Chief Negotiator for Horizon Europe, Maria Cristina Russo – the Deputy Director-General for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. Recorded June 2026.
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Media release: Horizon Europe: from global partnerships to real outcomes for Australians
The conclusion of treaty negotiations for Australia to associate to Horizon Europe is a major milestone for the nation’s research and innovation sector – but its value will be measured in what it delivers for Australians. The Australian Government’s decision to fast-track association to Horizon Europe to 2027 puts Australia…
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Media statement: strong ATEC leadership creates opportunity to advance higher education reform
The Group of Eight (Go8) acknowledges the appointment of Professor Barney Glover AO as Chief Commissioner of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, alongside a highly experienced group of Commissioners. Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said Professor Glover brings deep sector knowledge and a strong track record of leadership across Australian…
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Joint media release: Business leaders call for 25% red tape reduction amid rising costs
Nearly 30 groups representing small, medium and large businesses, and universities, that employ millions of Australians, are calling on all governments to cut regulatory costs by 25 per cent to help consumers and businesses amid surging costs caused by the Middle East war. The Alliance of Industry Associations, which represents…
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Speech: EABC Board Welcome to Senator the Hon Tim Ayres by Vicki Thomson
European Australian Business Council Boardroom Dinner with Senator the Hon Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry and Innovation – 14 April 2026 (Sydney) The past few weeks have been extraordinary. The Australia–EU Free Trade Agreement is concluded. A new defence and security partnership is in place. And Australia is now on…
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Go8 submission to inquiry into Higher Education Support Amendment (Reverse JRG Fee Hikes and End 50k Arts Degrees) Bill 2025
Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee Group of Eight Universities (Go8) submission to inquiry into Higher Education Support Amendment (Reverse Job-Ready Graduates Fee Hikes and End 50k Arts Degrees) Bill 2025 The Group of Eight (Go8) supports serious and timely consideration of the ongoing impacts of the Job-ready Graduates (JRG)…
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Media release: Research recognised as fundamental in much improved ATEC
The passage of much improved legislation to establish an Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) marks a significant turning point for Australia’s higher education sector. After decades of inconsistent policy and unintended consequences, the sector will get the independent authority it needs with the standing to provide frank, fearless and evidence-based…
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Speech: Vote of Thanks – Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson
EU-Australia Business Luncheon with H.E. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, NSW Parliament House, Sydney, Wednesday 25 March 2026 It is a privilege to offer sincere thanks on this landmark occasion. Today is about more than finalising the successful conclusion of negotiations for a trade agreement. It…
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Media release: A new era for Australian trade, national security, research and innovation
Today’s historic announcements – the conclusion of the Australia EU-FTA, the Security and Defence Partnership and fast tracking of Australia’s association with Horizon Europe – reflect the growing strategic importance of the Australian European Union partnership. In a contested, high risk global environment, the integration of trade, defence, and research is…
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Media release: Bold reform now needed to rebuild Australia’s R&D system
The Strategic Examination of Research and Development (SERD) final report, Ambitious Australia, leaves no doubt that research and development is fundamental to Australia’s economic future, sovereign capability and national wellbeing. Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said the report arrives at a critical moment. “Now more than ever, as…
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Go8 statement on the Australian Human Rights Commission Respect at Uni Report
Quotes attributable to Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson: “The Australian Human Rights Commission’s Racism@Uni Study makes for sobering reading. It presents confronting evidence that racism is experienced by too many students and staff, with profound impacts, and that institutional responses have not always met the seriousness of the…
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Opening statement to the Education and Employment Legislation Committee Inquiry into the Universities Accord (ATEC) Bill 2025
Opening statement by Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson Thank you for the opportunity to appear before the Committee. The need for an Australian Tertiary Education Commission is not in question. The sector has been without an independent authority to guide government policy for decades – since the abolition…
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Go8 statement on the appointment of Professor Glyn Davis AC
Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said the appointment of Emeritus Professor Glyn Davis AC as Interim Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne will ensure ongoing exceptional leadership and stability, as the university community comes to terms with the tragic passing of Professor Emma Johnston AO. “Professor Davis, who…
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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 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…