B-HERT Press Releases
The Business/Higher Education Round Table is pleased to announce
the appointment of Peter Tyree CPEng, Hon FIE (Aust), FTSE as the organisation’s new President
for a two-year term.
Peter was the Chair of the Tyree Group of Companies, one of the largest non public companies in Australia. He is an Electrical Engineer with the majority of his work experience being within the Electricity Supply Industry; starting his career as a Cadet Engineer at the then Sydney County Council, (now Energy Australia.)
Peter’s professional engineering background includes areas as diverse as sewerage treatment and its associated civil construction; the field of design of Extra High voltage switchgear and in particular SF6 technology.
After working in NZ as production manager in a HV transformer manufacturer in the mid ‘70s, Peter returned to Melbourne to take up a senior sales position in Tyree Industries (Victoria). Following the sale of the company to Westinghouse Electric, Peter and his father established a new enterprise in Mittagong, NSW, making electrical conductors for use in LV and HV apparatus. This has grown into a diverse business today.
Inheriting a sense of community spirit from his parents, Peter adopted a “give to society” attitude many years ago. This attitude has resulted in working with charitable and industry bodies as well as keeping long term relationships with several universities and their faculties of engineering.
In his relationships with universities, his involvement has been as a member of a number of “visiting” Committees, School and faculty advisory boards and Foundations, particularly the University of Wollongong, University of Sydney and the University of NSW, each of which has given Peter deep insights into how important the Business/Higher Education relationships are.
Peter is a chartered professional engineer and either has been or remains:
- Chairman of the Australian National Committee, CIGRE*
- Treasurer and Public Officer of the Paris based Governing Council of CIGRE
- Member of the Visiting Committees of the Faculty of Engineering and the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Wollongong University
- Chairman, Dean’s Industry advisory Board, University of NSW Faculty of Engineering
- Board Member of the Electrical & Information Engineering Foundation at Sydney University
- Chairman of the Copper Development Centre, (Australia)
Peter’s passion for innovation in both business and tertiary education is ideally suited to promote B-HERT’s mission of increasing and improving collaboration between the business and education sectors.
* CIGRE is the world’s foremost technical body involved in the technology of generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.
The Business/Higher Education Round Table is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Sharon Winocur as the organisation’s new Executive Director. Dr Winocur comes to B-HERT from senior executive positions in the Victorian and Queensland Public Service following a successful university career as both an academic and an administrator.
Following an academic career in psychology, Dr Winocur established the first Office of Equal Opportunity at the University of Queensland. During this time the University experienced marked improvements in the gender mix of academic and general staff, as well as an increase in the number of female students in non traditional disciplines. In addition Dr Winocur also established UQ-Link, a specialist program for academically able but disadvantaged students who demonstrated great potential if offered University of Queensland places. Dr Winocur joined the Queensland Public Service in 1991 and the Victorian Public Service in 2004. During her public service career, Dr Winocur held various senior executive positions including Director of Equity, Human Resources and Industrial Relations.
David Hind, President of B-HERT said that "finding the right mix of skills and talent was a challenge. Following an extensive search I am confident that Dr Winocur understands with passion the critical societal role of higher education and the importance of effective collaboration between business, research, professional and academic communities. Her experience in working with both the private sector and government will be a major asset."
Dr Winocur has expressed her excitement to be in a role once again promoting the value of education. "It is an ideal time to be taking up this position because education, research and innovation have all become priority areas for government. Directions that flow from this current debate will be the key to determining Australia’s future educational and global competitiveness."
B-HERT is committed to strengthening relationships between higher education and business for the improvement of both and for the benefit of the Australian community. B-HERT will continue its strong program of networking for its members as well as providing open public policy debate for and with the community at large.
The Business/Higher Education Round Table (B-HERT) is hosting a major Forum in Melbourne in February 2008 to address the significant problem of the dramatic decline in engineering graduates in Australia in recent years. The Forum is being sponsored by Engineers Australia, which is the largest and most diverse association of engineers in Australia and is one of the world’s most respected engineering associations with over 84,000 members.
Professor Ashley Goldsworthy, Executive Director of B-HERT said that Australia’s economic future is dependent upon the effective management of globally competitive and innovative organisations. Human enterprise is a key element and engineers are a critical resource.
Goldsworthy pointed out that the problem was that Australia is experiencing an estimated shortfall of more than 20,000 engineers, and this shortage shows no sign of easing over the next three to five years.
Engineers, be they civil, electrical, mechanical, chemical, electronic, information technology, mining, metallurgical, hydraulic, environmental, biomedical, or any other branch of the science, play an integral and critical role in every sector of business and industry, from basic R&D to final outcome. They are an important driver of innovation.
B-HERT, in conjunction with the Australian Council of Engineering Deans (ACED), and Engineers Australia believes there is a need to focus on the knowledge, skills, and attributes those entering the engineering profession will need in the future. They are crucial to the nation’s future. He said the engineering graduate of tomorrow will be different from today’s. How different is the issue?
To emphasise the global importance of this issue, Goldsworthy said that Australia graduates about 5,000 engineers a year, but first year enrolments have been decreasing. Between 2001 and 2005 the number of Australians commencing degrees in engineering fell by more than 8 per cent.
At the current rate Australia will (in terms of graduates per million of population) fall from 5th last in the OECD to 3rd last in the next two years. We will be graduating 16 per cent less than the number awarded in 1998. Mexico and Turkey will have overtaken us. Not much further to fall!!!
In 2003, according to US National Science Foundation Reports, China awarded 351,537 bachelor degrees in engineering. Goldsworthy said the really significant aspect is that this is three times the numbers who were graduating 15 years ago. 40 per cent of Chinese graduates are engineering graduates. In Australia only 10 per cent of graduates are in engineering. The OECD average 14 per cent.
During the years spent studying at university there is the greatest opportunity to not only impart technical skills but also to influence, shape, and refine a student’s overall behavioural competencies.
B-HERT, Engineers Australia, and the Australian Council of Engineering Deans see this as a unique opportunity to bring together the leaders in engineering and mathematical sciences education in academe, senior industry representatives, and the professions, for the purpose of enhancing the outcomes and the value of engineering education for all stakeholders.
There is enormous potential for industry and business to derive increased value from links with universities, and for universities similarly to benefit from increased clarity on the needs and motivation of its relevant stakeholders.
The Forum is being supported by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, one of Australia’s four learned academies, whose 750 Fellows are elected on the basis of their achievement in the application of science, technology and engineering to Australian life.
The Forum will focus on a number of issues, including:
- Clarifying the needs of business and industry.
- Improving mutual understanding between employers and academe.
- The relevance of curriculum, course structure, and pedagogical development.
- Exploring issues in lifelong learning and continuing professional development.
- Debating the need for and benefit of generic and employability skills.
- Development of collaborative course modules.
- The adequacy of school preparation in subjects such as mathematics and science.
- Sharing of best practice - international developments in engineering education.
- Better balancing between the demand side and supply side.
In a major initiative to enhance the relevance and quality of business education, the Business/Higher Education Round Table (B-HERT), in conjunction with the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC), is conducting a one-day forum in Sydney on 14th March on “The Business Graduate of Tomorrow”.
To underline the significance of the event the major sponsor is CPA Australia. With more than 112,000 members in 98 countries, CPA Australia is the largest finance and accounting body in Australia and one of the largest professional bodies in the world.
Professor Ashley Goldsworthy, Executive Director of B-HERT, said it was the first time that all Business Deans in Australia (and New Zealand Deans have been invited) have come together to meet with senior executives from business to discuss the future development and requirements of business graduates of the future.
Goldsworthy, himself a past Business Dean (of Bond University) as well as a former CEO of major businesses, said that Australia’s economic future depended upon the effective management of globally competitive, innovative and successful enterprises.
The business graduate of tomorrow will be different from today's. How different is the issue.
He said that the participation of senior business and professional figures reinforces the significance of the event.
Leading businessman David Murray, Chairman of the Future Fund and former CEO of the Commonwealth Bank, will give the Keynote address.
David Hind, the President of B-HERT, who until recently was CEO of BOC, will also be participating in the Forum, as will Heather Ridout, CEO of The Australian Industry Group.
Anil Sabharwal from Talent 2 and John Egan of Eagan Associates will be bringing their perspectives to the discussion.
Patrick Coleman of the Business Council of Australia, Ann Johns of CPA Australia, and Suzie Hewlett of the Department of Education, Science and Training will also be involved in the debate.
Senior academic leaders will also be contributing.
Professor Margaret Gardner, Vice-Chancellor and President, RMIT University will present a paper, as will Professor Fred Hilmer, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of New South Wales and former CEO of Fairfax.
A number of leading academics, including Professor Tim Brailsford, Head of the Business School at the University of Queensland and President of the ABDC, will also be leading face-to-face workshops with their business colleagues.
The views of students will not be overlooked as Robert Weller, President of the Graduate Management Association of Australia, is one of the speakers.
B-HERT and the ABDC believe there is a need to focus on the knowledge, skills, and attributes those entering business will need in the future.
One question to be answered is, Are we producing highly trained but increasingly poorly educated graduates?
There will be a number of issues to be explored including-
- Maintenance of academic standards
- The profile, image and the quality of business education
- Rationalisation within the sector
- Meeting the needs of business and industry
The Forum will be a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to help shape the future of business education in Australia.
The Business/Higher Education Round Table (B-HERT) has repeatedly raised the issue of the dismal and worsening situation with respect to the level or R&D in Australia.
Ashley Goldsworthy, Executive Direct of B-HERT said today's R&D is the future and Australia's current level of investment in its future makes it a bleak future indeed.
Figures recently released show that Business Expenditure on R&D (BERD) in 2002-03 has dropped to 0.79% of GDP. This places Australia 14th out of 21 OECD nations.
He pointed out that we are half the level of the United States and one-third the level of Japan and Finland.
Australia's public sector spending is at a much more satisfactory level, but however we look at it we are languishing.
Government Expenditure on R&D (GERD) is 1.55% of GDP. The United Kingdom has set itself a goal of 2.5% of GDP by 2014. The European Union has set a goal for member nations of 3.0% by 2010. Canada has set itself a similar goal by 2016. The average of all OECD countries is 1.81%. What target have we set ourselves? None. And without a goal we also lack a strategy.
Australia has to set itself goals of at least 2% by 2010 and 3% by 2020 and put in place strategies to achieve those goals. One thing is certain that without specific policy directions we will continue to slip. We have to recognize that R&D is an investment in the future and not just “expenditure”.
Whilst expenditure in absolute terms may have increased, the real concern is that we are not keeping pace with our global competitors.
Goldsworthy emphasized that the growth economies of the future will be knowledge-based economies. In such economies R&D becomes even more important. Innovation drives growth. R&D drives innovation.
As these figures relate to 2002-03 it is yet to be seen what effect the increased funding of innovation through the Government's Backing Australia's Ability program will have, but it alone will not be enough.
He believes the sort of thing that needs to be done is to emphasise the need for and benefits of more effective linkages between public-sector research and the private sector through sector specific policies, such as we have seen in the mining and the wine industries, and initiatives such as “clustering”, which has proved successful in other economies.
The Business/Higher Education Round Table argues that higher education is, and must remain, a key issue for Government, of whatever political persuasion.
In its response to the recent (Nelson) review of higher education the Business/Higher Education Round Table argued that:
- The status quo in higher education in Australia is not sustainable if we as a nation want to be at the forefront of a knowledge-based society.
- Universities of global excellence will emerge from a framework of diversity and flexibility that can only be built when underpinned by coherent policy and a funds base that recognizes a new priority for higher education in this country.
- Australia's universities are under-resourced in international terms.
- Education and training are key ingredients in growing and developing the Australian economy.
- Higher education is critical to the future of this country; in creating a “learning society” in which all Australians, of whatever social, cultural and economic background, have access to a post-compulsory education of excellent value.
Quality of teaching, quality of research, quality of learning, quality of infrastructure and a supporting governmental policy framework are the fundamental prerequisites for this to be achieved.
Present levels of funding are inadequate to propel Australia to the forefront to achieve the levels of excellence required to take this nation forward. International comparisons repeatedly underline this deficiency.
Student teacher ratios continue to rise while the level of funding per student remains static.
The Round Table has argued strongly for effective indexation of government funding, but indexing an inadequate base does not solve the problem.
The Government has recognised the need to renew the level of core funding through its commitment to a 7.5% increase to the base Commonwealth funding, worth an additional $209 million in 2007, or some $500 per student.
Labor proposes to introduce a “Universities for the 21st Century Fund” worth $250 million in 2007, some 5% of existing core funding or about $560 a student.
The Round Table says that $500-600 per student is not enough. It needs to be at least double that.
On Wednesday (8 Sept) the Business/Higher Education Round Table (B-HERT), in conjunction with La Trobe University, hosted a most successful Regional Engagement Forum in Bendigo.
It attracted over 170 participants from all over Australia (as far away as Perth). John Brumby, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Regional Development, and Minister for Innovation, and Jacinta Allan, Minister for Educational Services participated as did the Mayor of Bendigo, Professor Michael Osborne Vice-Chancellor and several academics from La Trobe, the CEO of Bendigo Council and a number of business and community leaders
Professor Ashley Goldsworthy, Executive Director of B-HERT, said one of the most useful outcomes was to learn about many exciting projects being undertaken as a result of effective community engagement in Bendigo, which could provide a model for initiatives elsewhere.
The forum was sponsored by the Victorian Government, and leading organisations involved in the Forum, included Bendigo Bank, Central Victorian Business Network, City of Greater Bendigo, Bendigo Healthcare Group, Bendigo Manufacturing Group, Australian Industry Group, Lead On Australia, Bendigo Community Telco, Bendigo TAFE, and a number of others.
Goldsworthy said it was this broad level of active participation of senior people that helped make the day so productive.
B-HERT has focused on Regional Engagement as an important issue and over the past 12 months has conducted five very successful one-day fora, which have attracted some 600 local business people and post-compulsory education providers.
- at Shepparton co-hosted with the Greater Shepparton City Council. Hon John Brumby, Treasurer and Minister for State and Regional Development presented a paper. The forum was attended by over 80 people and generated a good deal of interest and follow-up action among the business community.
- at Parramatta co-hosted by the University of Western Sydney. The Chancellor (John Phillips) and Vice-Chancellor (Prof. Janice Reid) both participated. Hon David Campbell, Minister for Regional Development, for the Illawarra, and for Small Business participated and the forum was sponsored by the NSW Dept. for State and Regional Development and Lend Lease Corporation. Over 120 attended and the day was marked by vigorous debate and discussion.
- at the University of the Sunshine Coast at Mooloolaba hosted by the university and sponsored by the Queensland Dept. for State Development and Innovation. Mrs Linda Lavarch MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Queensland Minister for State Development and Innovation, gave the Keynote Address. Over 80 attended.
- at the University of Newcastle hosted by the university and sponsored by the NSW Dept. of State and Regional Development, Gloucester Coal and Minerals Council NSW. Senator John Tierney and Bryce Gaudry MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Training and Aboriginal Affairs, and Member for Newcastle, delivered addresses. Over 120 participated and it was a successful event.
- at Bendigo hosted by La Trobe University in conjunction with the City of Greater Bendigo, Bendigo Bank, the Central Victorian Business Network and the Victorian Government, Department of Education and Training. Keynote addresses were given by the Hon. John Brumby, Treasurer & Minister for Innovation, Industry & Regional Development and the Hon. Jacinta Allan, Minister for Education Services, and Member for Bendigo East and Professor Michael Osborne, Vice-Chancellor of La Trobe. More than 170 participated and a number of follow-up initiatives were identified.
Further activities being planned over coming months are –
- Albury-Wodonga Campus of Charles Sturt University
- Mackay campus of Central Queensland University.
- Whyalla with the University of South Australia
- Perth with Murdoch University
- Port Macquarie with Southern Cross and Hastings Council
Goldsworthy said a number of outcomes have been identified-
- There must be support for an increased level of engagement between all stakeholders.
- There must be sustained support for the regional communities' need for access to high quality post-compulsory education.
- There must be explicit support for collaborative initiatives between business/industry, the community and post-compulsory education providers which provide a socio-economic benefit to the region.
- There must be clearer identification and communication of the benefits for increased engagement between business/industry, the community and post-compulsory education in regions.
- There must be increased awareness of the pivotal role the relationship between business/industry and post-compulsory education plays in the retention of youth in regional areas and the importance of career pathways.
- More involvement by education providers in community discussions would lead to better outcomes.
He said that what is clear is that many of the regional areas are being proactive in their pursuit of a viable future. Integrated into this is the critical role post-compulsory education plays in the development of their local region.
B-HERT sees these fora as valuable to the ongoing development of linkages between regional business/industry and post-compulsory education. Such linkages will invariably lead to appropriate skill enhancement of regional youth, greater entrepreneurial endeavour, accelerated commercial awareness and increased economic activity in the regions.
The investment in Australia's Higher Education sector each year amounts to over $11 billion, of which the Commonwealth Government contributes some $5 million and students some $2 million.
Each year the impact of inflation sees the value of that investment decline.
The Business/Higher Education Round Table (B-HERT) is strongly of the view that in order to maintain the real value of that investment, indexation of future Government funding must be implemented, otherwise the system will simply fall back into the same underfunded level of recent years before the recently approved Nelson reforms.
The investment in Australian universities, in the quality of their students, in their teaching and research, is vital to the future well-being of this nation.
Our university system needs and warrants a higher level of investment. Indexation of Government funding is a fundamental prerequisite.
The attached statement (Australian Universities and the need to maintain current values by appropriate indexation-207KB pdf) outlines B-HERT's reasons in support of this argument.
The Business/Higher Education Round Table (B-HERT) has just released its biennial report, THE FACTS on Australia's higher education sector. THE FACTS provides a set of key statistics as the basis for constructive debate on the measures that need to be implemented to improve the state of higher education in this country.
Professor Ashley Goldsworthy, Executive Director of B-HERT, said that as Australia positions itself in an increasingly global and knowledge-based economy, we need to understand how the sector is performing, what are its strengths, and what are its weaknesses that we should be rectifying.
He said that some of the questions we should be seeking answers to include:
- Are the fundamentals in place to support higher education as a provider of innovative and leading edge research?
- Are there indicators which suggest the quality of higher education in Australia is under duress?
- Is the higher education sector in Australia meeting the needs of a knowledge-based economy?
- As a nation are we positioning ourselves to prosper as a highly skilled and educated service
provider in the regional
and global context? - As a nation are we investing enough in our higher education sector?
The B-HERT publication goes someway to providing those who work in or observe the sector with a comprehensive perspective of the sector's performance.
This publication is an update to that which the Business/Higher Education Round Table produced and distributed in June 2002 (B-HERT Paper # 5).
The publication includes five sections – Sector Overview, Research Overview, Operational Overview
including Internationally Where We Stand, and Supporting Statistical Tables.
ASHLEY GOLDSWORTHY
Executive Director
The Business/Higher Education Round Table (B-HERT) in conjunction with the Federal Government, the Victorian State Government, Shell Australia Ltd, Hewlett Packard Australia Ltd and the Australian Technology Network are hosting an event that aims to set in motion the changes needed for Australia to become a nation of Entrepreneurs.
On 30 and 31 May 2001, the event will bring together entrepreneurial success stories as well as leaders in education, research, business and government from around Australia to discuss and debate the issues facing an Entrepreneurial Australia.
Issues to be addressed include those identified in the recently released Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, Australia 2000, namely education, regulation and tax burden, lack of capital, short-term investment outlook and Australia's perceived anti-entrepreneurial culture.
Start-ups and high growth companies are the pacesetters of our economy. They generate prosperity and employment, they are a source of innovation, they extend consumer choice and they drive down prices.
Australia needs a much stronger and more vigorous entrepreneurial culture.
This issue crosses political boundaries as the involvement of both the Victorian and Federal governments demonstrates. The Hon Dr David Kemp, Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs and the Hon John Brumby, Minister for State and Regional Development will both be giving special addresses, while Senator the Hon Nick Minchin, Minister for Industry, Science and Resources will be hosting a gala dinner, "Backing Australia's Entrepreneurs", on the first evening.
B-HERT executive director, Prof Ashley Goldsworthy AO OBE, says, "Discussion panels will be made up from many popular identities and some less well-known (quiet) achievers. Roger Buckeridge from one of Australia's best-known venture capitalists, Allen & Buckeridge, will be contributing to the panel on "Where is the Money"? He will address questions about the supply and quality of capital and what skills are needed to find and raise it."
"On the other hand, Dr Jim Fox of Vision Systems Ltd (VSL) is a real Entrepreneurial Hero. Under his guidance, VSL has grown more than 30% annually and currently has over 600 employees and annual sales of $150 million - yet few people have heard of him or VSL."
Other Entrepreneurs to be featured include Lionel Barden of Fibrelight who began designing fibre optic lighting systems on his kitchen table and is now lighting up Broadway's largest theatre, and Greg Lane who created one of the worlds top selling computer games, Dark Reign.
Entrepreneurial Australia - Future Australia is being held on Wed 30th & Thur 31st May at the Park Hyatt, Melbourne. For more information and registration details, contact the B-HERT office.