Deakin Speaking

Dare to ask the question: why does the university exist?

The British Government has failed to understand public curiosity about this question to its detriment. One blogger described British Labour's latest vision 'Higher Ambitions–the Future of Universities in a Knowledge Economy' thus, 'It's the university as shopping mall.' If greater student choice hasn’t heightened public satisfaction with education, is it because we want to choose like consumers, but be educated as citizens? 

There is a sparking debate in Australia’s higher education sector on the meaning of the university. It’s at once daring and necessary. The two kingpins are Steven Schwartz, the Vice-Chancellor of Macquarie University and Luke Slattery, Editor of the Higher Education Supplement in The Australian. Allow me to introduce Eleanor Roosevelt and Sally Walker.