Strategic for Reforming University/State Relationships: Australia's Experience Sets Example

Abstract

A 1992 World Bank report, Universities in Africa: Strategies for Stabilization and Revitalization, recommended reforms of university/state financial relationship in Africa.

The article notes the similarities between universities in Australia and Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) in 1980, when higher education on both continents was 90 percent financed by the national government, and the differences today, when almost half of Australian university income comes from sources outside core operating grants from government.

Australia's policy changes, dating from the first opening to fee-paying overseas students in 1980, are described in relation to the six prerequisites for successfully reforming state-sponsored universities jet forth in the World Bank report. The Australian example shows that even in wealthy nations, movement down the path to diversified financial support for universities M not easy, and shows that the six fundamental principles recommended by the Bank have stood the test of time.