For the first time, students may have to pay up to A$3271 for “enabling” courses, designed to prepare students for university study. The change was announced as part of the government’s recent higher education reform package. Until now, university enabling programs have been subsidised by the government – and are therefore free for students. The […] … learn more→

Earlier this month, I submitted my PhD in Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management at the University of New England Business School.  I did my PhD part-time, while I worked full-time in the IT sector, and I did my PhD through distance, so my project had a few challenges along the way.  I live in […] … learn more→

Last June, as I was leaving the polling station at which I had just voted in favour of the UK’s leaving the European Union, my eldest son was passing on his bicycle. He stopped to talk, but, on learning what I had done, he berated me, albeit jovially, mentioning in particular his difficulties in recruiting […] … learn more→

Most universities boast “centres” or “institutes” designed to announce their strengths in a certain field. But there’s more to it than that: when a university establishes a new centre, it is making a statement of intent. It’s saying that it perceives a need for more work in that area, and that it intends to drive […] … learn more→

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Whether you’re a fashion junkie or a reluctant shopper, there is no denying that buying online is hugely convenient – a couple of clicks and your order is on its way to your door. But we are all aware that these goods need to be transported, and that a delivery involving planes, ships and trucks […] … learn more→

It’s a lean time for writers, as arts funding shrinks on all sides, journalists are laid off in droves, broadcasting budgets are slashed, and book publishing remains in a state of seemingly unceasing upheaval. It often seems as if the age of living by the pen may be brought to a close by an increasingly […] … learn more→

For years I’ve watched the Poo Bahs of Higher Ed abandon their mission of helping humanity and instead debase higher education in exchange for growth. The Poo Bahs don’t want growth per se, they want the massive increases to pay they get for ruling larger institutions (truth be told, I suspect the reasons our politicians […] … learn more→

I am well and truly in the middle of my three year PhD at an Australian University. Right now I’m experiencing some of the darkest days of my PhD journey so far. I am just so down. I hate my life. I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve lost all my confidence. I feel like […] … learn more→

A recent survey from New America showed that nearly three out of four students enrolled in college today believe the higher education system is not “fine as it is.” Part of that may be because students are largely in the dark when it comes to making one of the most important–and most expensive–decisions of their […] … learn more→