Strengthening Australia’s research training system
20 May 2015
Media release Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, has today commissioned the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) to undertake a review of Australia’s research training system to ensure that it meets Australia’s research needs in the 21st Century.
“A highly skilled research workforce is vital to Australia’s future prosperity,” Mr Pyne said.
“Other countries are already exploring new research training models, with more structured PhD programmes, greater industry engagement, and alternative entry pathways into a PhD.
“Australia’s research training system will fall behind if our research training models are not comparable with the best in the world. This review will help ensure our system is truly world class and capable of underpinning our capacity for learned inquiry, innovation and productivity.”
The review will also deliver on the Australian Government’s commitment to boosting the commercial returns from research by ensuring that researchers are better equipped to work with industry and bring their ideas to market.
ACOLA will engage with higher education and research institutions, peak bodies, industry, and government agencies to identify opportunities to improve research training in Australia.
The four learned academies that make up ACOLA are the Australian Academy of Science, the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, the Academy of the Humanities, and the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.
The review’s Terms of Reference are attached. The review’s final report will be provided to the Minister in March 2016.
For more information on the Australian Council of Learned Academies visit: www.acola.org.au.