Welcome to Issue 14 of the Australian Council of Deans of Science (ACDS) magazine. In this issue we focus on the future shape of university science education and research, including a Foreword from Craig Simmons and an opinion piece by David Lloyd. I’d like to start by thanking them both for their generous and excellent contributions.
Using technology to its full potential can improve the educational experience for all our students. It can provide the key to achieving our collective ambitions of equity and access.
Tertiary education has traditionally served school-leavers studying full-time at a university campus. This is a luxury that many prospective students simply can’t afford, including those in remote areas and those who have family or financial commitments.
Educational experiences have benefited from our working more closely with industry and the embedding of First Nations knowledges throughout our programs.
Various initiatives, including some discussed in this issue, enable us to provide an engaging quality education to an increasingly diverse cohort of students.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the financial challenges facing the university sector.
Science education, research and infrastructure is expensive compared to many other disciplines, yet is vital for the future of our nation.
In order for government and the community to confidently invest in university science, they need to understand the benefits. It is up to us to communicate them.
This includes communicating the benefits of educating international students. There is a significant soft diplomacy role played by our international alumni. They are passionate, committed and excellent ambassadors for Australia.
Times have changed and we must adapt. We must work to overcome challenges, lobby to influence change and make the most of all the opportunities that present themselves.
The future of university science depends on us. I look forward to discussions of these and other issues at our ACDS annual conference in Canberra in October.
Writer: Professor Jacqui Ramagge, President, ACDS