Bradley report on the future of CIT and UC released

051/11

I have released a report by Emeritus Professor Denise Bradley AC, on options for the future of the University of Canberra (UC) and the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT).

Professor Bradley's report finds that given the significant changes in national tertiary education, it is not an option for Canberra's CIT and UC to continue to operate in their current form.

The report recommends the ACT Government establish a new dual sector institution formed from an amalgamation of CIT and UC.

Professor Bradley recommends an amalgamation should proceed underpinned by the following:

• Respect and value accorded to the unique characteristics of each partner
• Respect and value accorded to the values, culture and traditions of each sector and
• Understanding of and respect for the strengths each will bring to the new institution.

Professor Bradley also recommends that if the ACT Government elects not to establish a new institution, it provides the CIT with greater independence.

Professor Bradley recommends that the new institution commence operations on 1 January 2012. The establishment of a new institution or greater autonomy for CIT would require legislative changes that would need to be considered by the ACT Legislative Assembly.

I will establish a Government strategy group to consider how these options would be implemented and make a final recommendation to Government in November 2011. This group will consult with the management of both institutions, representatives of unions and student representatives as well as other stakeholders as appropriate.

Professor Bradley’s report can be viewed at www.det.act.gov.au and feedback can be provided until 23 September 2011. A report on the feedback received will be provided to the Government strategy group.

The ACT Tertiary Taskforce and the Hawke Review both recommended respectively closer collaboration between and amalgamation of UC and CIT. The ACT Government commissioned Professor Bradley to report on future options for the institutions. In preparing her report, Professor Bradley met with senior executives and staff of both CIT and UC and considered extensive information provided by the institutions. Her report also draws on her extensive professional knowledge of the reform of the national tertiary sector.

Professor Bradley will brief the Canberra Liberals and ACT Greens Party on her report today.