Taliah King and Pete Swanton have chosen very different academic pursuits at The Australian National University (ANU). What they have in common is their profound experience as Indigenous students at the national university. Ms King, from the Yuin and Waanyi people, came to ANU from a regional town to study a Bachelor of Arts specialising in psychology - she is in her final
Australian unis are too important to be left to bleed
12 May 2021
Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt on why the budget is bad news for universities and bad news for all Australians.
The 2021 federal budget just handed down is one of the biggest spending budgets in Australia s history, as it should be. The global pandemic economic shock is not yet over, and spending on infrastructure, vocational education, child and aged care, and mental health will help much of Australia get back on its feet.
But while the university sector is grateful for the funding we have, approximately $10bn for higher education over 2021-22, this is not new money and there s been no increase to research block grants. There is nothing of note for our universities, except for $1.1m to support industry PhDs and additional flexibility for student visa holders when it comes to working hours. This is not only a real shame but a missed opportunity; universities are vital to our future prosperity.
ANU releases 2020 financial figures
23 April 2021
The Australian National University (ANU) recorded a $162.4 million operating deficit in 2020, Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt has told staff and students today.
ANU has released key financial results for 2020 ahead of the formal tabling of its annual report later in the year as part of its commitment to full transparency about its financial position.
The $162.4 million operating deficit is a better return than the previous forecast of $219 million under the University s Recovery Plan. This is mostly due to better-than-expected tuition income from student retention ($22.7 million) and income from research grants ($27 million).
The reported accounting loss in 2020 was $17.7 million, which includes insurance proceeds of $91 million for 2018 flood and 2020 hail damage that can only be spent on related repairs; investment returns of $61 million, which can only be used for superannuation and endowments; accounting adjustments