Postgraduate students are invited to provide feedback and commentary to SUPRA on the following issues. Your feedback and commentary will assist SUPRA to formulate and provide a response to these important issues that impact on postgraduate study.
Please read the accompanying discussion paper for each issue and provide your feedback and commentary to the Policy Committee Convenor, Lulu Stewart: policy@supra.usyd.edu.au.
SUPRA's 2007/08 Budget Response
SUPRA’s 2007/8 BUDGET SUMMARY
What does the budget mean for postgrads? Download our Budget Summary Document and find out what is happening with:
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Income Support for Masters Students and Rent Assistance to Austudy Recipients
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The Higher Education Endowment Fund
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University Funding
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Changes to Commonwealth Grants Scheme (CGS) Funding
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International Student Visa Changes – Permission to Work
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University Governance
SUPRA’s BUDGET MEDIA RELEASE: 10 May 2007
Postgrads Call for a Genuine Education Revolution
Not a game of Conservative Catch-up
This year’s Federal Budget saw the introduction of some long called for initiatives for postgraduate students but you could hardly call what amounts to conservative catch-up an education revolution. Jenny Leong, President of the Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association, said:
“While we tentatively welcome the change to allow some masters students to gain access to Government income support, including rent assistance for Austudy recipients, and the establishment of the Higher Education Endowment Fund, we are far from convinced by the Government’s attempt to cozy up to higher education after years of harsh funding cuts and legislative changes that have left students out in the cold.”
“The relatively small gains for education in this budget do not rectify the disturbing fact that Australia is the only OECD country to be consistently disinvesting in higher education. Australia is among only a handful of countries in the OECD where private funding, including student fees, accounts for more than 50% of funds in the tertiary sector leaving huge debts hanging around the necks of students…
Read the full release and the transcript of ABC Radio’s PM program.
SUPRA Postgraduate Entitlements Survey
We have developed a Postgraduate Entitlements Policy to lead our campaign to ensure that all postgrads at Sydney Uni are provided with the necessary support, infrastructure and resources to successfully complete their studies.
Please sign on to our petition to get this implemented by visiting our entitlements page HERE where you can also find further details about this campaign.
Previous Policy Issues
Staff PhD
A proposal has been put forward to create a Staff PhD as a means of enabling University of Sydney staff who do not hold a Doctorate to obtain one. Issues such as maintaining the integrity of the current PhD and whether a separate staff PhD is needed are possible issues for consideration.
Download the Staff PhD discussion paper.
Conferring of Examiners for a PhD
Examiners of a PhD thesis are required to submit an independent report although in some circumstances they may communicate amongst themselves. A proposed amendment to the the examination policy has raised some important questions about ensuring the independence of examiners.
Download the Examiners discussion paper.
English Language Requirements: Combined Universities Language Test (CULT)
The University of Sydney is reviewing the framework for the recognition and application of the above language test. Many postgraduate courses have English Language requirements that are set above the University minimum. Many of these requirements and the University minimum refer to the IELTS and TOEFL language tests. The University of Sydney is now discussing options to achieve and ensure equivalence of the CULT language test with IELTS and TOEFL where language requirements are set above the University minimum.
Download the English Language Requirements discussion paper.
Any feedback or commentary on these issues can be forwarded to the Policy Committee Convenor, Lulu Stewart: policy@supra.usyd.edu.au.
