Australian universities: a portrait of decline

In this book, the author draws on his personal observations, discussions and thoughts to examine and critique the effects of reform on the tertiary education sector in Australia over the past two to three decades. In the first two chapters, the methods used to implement these changes are summarised. Chapter three attempts to provide an overview of the administrative landscape in which tertiary education is delivered. The following two chapters examine the transformation of the academic/student relationship from one of master/apprentice to retailer/customer and the role of educationalists...  [+] Show more

In this book, the author draws on his personal observations, discussions and thoughts to examine and critique the effects of reform on the tertiary education sector in Australia over the past two to three decades. In the first two chapters, the methods used to implement these changes are summarised. Chapter three attempts to provide an overview of the administrative landscape in which tertiary education is delivered. The following two chapters examine the transformation of the academic/student relationship from one of master/apprentice to retailer/customer and the role of educationalists, or university academics with degrees in education. Chapter six critiques the ‘research of teaching’ and its effect on the tertiary sector. Chapter seven examines the relationship between management and academics and the effects on the function of institutions. In the final chapter, the author proposes some actions that could initiate what he believes to be genuine reform.