Australian universities are calling for wholesale reforms to the country’s immigration system including one proposal for a U.S.-style green card. In a submission (pdf) to the federal government’s migration review, Universities Australia, which represents tertiary institutions across the country, said complicated visa structures were causing Australia to fall behind other advanced economies in attracting talented…

Political interference in university research funding presents an “existential threat” to the tertiary sector, the head of the Australian National University (ANU) has warned. In his state of the university address on Jan. 7, ANU Vice-Chancellor Brian Schmidt referenced acting Education Minister Stuart Robert’s decision on Christmas Eve to veto six research grants awarded by…

Australia has strengthened its university foreign interference guidelines to protect students, staff, and research by assisting the process of better identifying and responding to risks. Australia’s education institutions will be required to assess staff at risk of foreign interference. These identified individuals will be required to reveal any links to foreign governments, military, or intelligence…

Commentary U.S. President Joe Biden is working hard to secure his legacy as the founder of America’s campus kangaroo courts, firmly tilted towards believe-women justice. Back in 2011, he was the prime mover in the Obama administration’s use of Title IX anti-discrimination rules to force colleges to set up tribunals to adjudicate sexual misconduct. The…

Industry groups are welcoming the Australian government’s new four-step COVID plan that is based around vaccination numbers but call the reduction on international arrival caps “one step backwards.” Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) welcomed the new plan but recommended that the “post-vaccination phase” be reached when all those who can and want to receive shots are…

New South Wales (NSW) will begin welcoming back international students from the second half of the year under a pilot program to help revitalise the academic industry. The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) approved the state’s plan to bring back international students with priority to be given to students who need to complete practical or…