Sydney (Tribune International, NSW Govt Release, 19 Aug 2021); The NSW Government has today released its first NSW Higher Education Strategy Action Plan to drive stronger and more effective partnerships between Government and the higher education sector.
Increasing post-school options for lifelong learning, improving participation in higher education and strengthening research partnerships are just some of the priorities the Action Plan addresses.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the Action Plan focuses on specific and measurable initiatives the NSW Government is doing to support the Higher Education Strategy released earlier this year.
“At the heart of this is a plan to elevate our higher education sector and ensure training and research remains cutting-edge for years to come,” Mr Lee said.
“The plan addresses how the NSW Government will support collaborations with universities and the VET sector, and develop agile and future-focused education models that puts industry, university and TAFE in the same classroom.”
“Across NSW, our agencies are working hard to harness the impact of our world-class tertiary education sector to deliver social, economic and environmental outcomes for NSW.”
Convener for the NSW Vice-Chancellors’ Committee, Professor Barney Glover AO said.
“The Action Plan builds on the wide range of partnerships, investment and collaborations already underway across universities and higher education providers.”
“I commend the NSW Government’s proactive approach in launching a landmark Higher Education Strategy Action Plan that works across government and with the sector to deliver on the Strategy’s vision.”
Key actions outlined in the plan include:
- Simplify procurement arrangements between the NSW Government, universities and VET training providers
- Incentivise and encourage partnerships between universities and the VET sector through a ‘Collaboration and Innovation Fund’
- Support new education models including the Aerotropolis Multiversity, and the Institutes of Applied Technology
- Increase participation of underrepresented regions and groups in higher education
- Support and fund the reskilling and upskilling of displaced workers
- Enhance experience of international students through a new integrated digital platform and promotion of global contributions of higher education providers beyond their educational offerings.
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