Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee
Encyclopedia
Universities Australia (formerly the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee) is an organisation founded in Sydney
in May 1920, which attempts to advance higher education through voluntary, cooperative and coordinated action. After being based for a time in both Sydney and Melbourne
, its offices relocated to Canberra
in 1966. It is a private company whose members are Australia's 39 universities. The universities are represented by their vice-chancellors.
The new organisation would appoint a full time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who is not a serving Vice-Chancellor as spokesperson and advocate, and a Chair of the Board who is a serving Vice-Chancellor, currently Professor Peter Coaldrake.
Universities Australia has representatives, or nominated people, on some 67 external national and international bodies of importance to higher education. These include the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council, the Association of Commonwealth Universities Council, the Australian Qualifications Framework Advisory Board, the Research Quality Framework Development Advisory Group, the Australian Medical Council
, and the National Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee.
Universities Australia represents (and is funded by contributions from) 38 of Australia's 39 universities.
The business consultants of HES collaborate with collaborative groups in developing common strategies to address the business challenges facing the sector. It designs innovative business and contractual models to realise the outcomes required, capitalising on the opportunities initiated by collaborating universities.
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
in May 1920, which attempts to advance higher education through voluntary, cooperative and coordinated action. After being based for a time in both Sydney and Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, its offices relocated to Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
in 1966. It is a private company whose members are Australia's 39 universities. The universities are represented by their vice-chancellors.
Transition from the AVCC
In September 2006, the AVCC announced an overhaul of the organization following a review by consultant David Phillips, Director of PhillipsKPA. The AVCC was to change its name to Universities Australia and restructure to become a peak industry body. All universities were to be eligible for membership of Universities Australia, and would be represented by the CEOs. In October, the committee decided the current President, Deputy President and Board of Directors would leave their current positions by June 2007, and the CEO would leave the position on 31 December 2006.The new organisation would appoint a full time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who is not a serving Vice-Chancellor as spokesperson and advocate, and a Chair of the Board who is a serving Vice-Chancellor, currently Professor Peter Coaldrake.
Objectives
Universities Australia is non-partisan and exists exclusively for educational purposes. Its continuing aim is to serve the best interests of the universities, and through them, the nation. According to its website, its aims are to- advance and promote the benefits of Australian Universities to the nation;
- support Australian Universities in the performance of their roles;
- develop policy positions on higher education matters through discussing higher education issues including teaching, research and research training;
- advance internationalisation of Australian Universities;
- provide information for and about Australian Universities;
- provide services and programs to Australian Universities including the negotiation of common purchasing arrangements;
- promote the welfare of students, staff and graduates of Australian Universities;
- facilitate opportunities for Australian Universities (in particular, their students, staff and graduates) to develop their knowledge and skills;
- study the problems and needs of Australian Universities and their relations with other education institutions, organisations and the community and to encourage and sponsor their study; and
- assist in the further development of Australian Universities.
Universities Australia has representatives, or nominated people, on some 67 external national and international bodies of importance to higher education. These include the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council, the Association of Commonwealth Universities Council, the Australian Qualifications Framework Advisory Board, the Research Quality Framework Development Advisory Group, the Australian Medical Council
Australian Medical Council
The Australian Medical Council is the Australian national standards advisory body for medical education and training.Its mission statement is:Within Australia, it:* Accredits Australian and New Zealand medical schools and medical courses...
, and the National Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee.
Universities Australia represents (and is funded by contributions from) 38 of Australia's 39 universities.
Higher Ed Services
Higher Ed Services (HES) is a not-for-profit, professional services company owned by Universities Australia. It specialises in the provision of management services for collaborative development projects for the universities in Australia.The business consultants of HES collaborate with collaborative groups in developing common strategies to address the business challenges facing the sector. It designs innovative business and contractual models to realise the outcomes required, capitalising on the opportunities initiated by collaborating universities.