Chancellors welcome Expert Council recommendations to strengthen university governance
The University Chancellors Council (UCC) welcomes the Education Ministers Meetings’ (EMM) agreement on the principles and recommendations from the Expert Council on University Governance.
UCC Convenor, Professor John Pollaers OAM, said that the findings that have come from the Expert Council’s report and the Interim Report of the Senate Inquiry into the quality of governance in Australian Higher Education providers serve as a sobering reminder that universities must continue to demonstrate humility, transparency, and accountability.
“As Chancellors, we recognise our governance practices need to meet the needs of our communities. The sector must work together and embrace these principles and recommendations as an opportunity to demonstrate its leadership,” Professor Pollaers said.
“Universities exist for the public good. We are custodians of institutions that must always be listening and improving. This is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our capacity to do so,” he said.
The UCC is committed to translating the lessons of these reports into practical change – to ensure that starting from the top, universities are governed with integrity, inclusivity, and accountability – the type of governance that is expected of all public institutions.
The UCC reaffirmed its support of to the process of the Expert Council on University Governance, and the recommendation that the government-nominated representatives – Ms Melinda Cilento, Ms Sharan Burrow, and Mr Bruce Cowley – continue to work alongside the sector, the Ministers, and university stakeholders to ensure the principles can be adopted, reviewed, and supported.
“We support the focus of the Ministers in ensuring governance is capable and credible,” Professor Pollaers said. “We welcome the opportunity to continue to work with the Expert Council in its new form to support the sector.”
The UCC will continue working with the Department of Education, TEQSA, and Universities Australia to implement reforms consistent with the principles and recommendations – including greater transparency, and public reporting on governance. The UCC acknowledges the role of Universities Australia, and the need for management and governing bodies to work together collaboratively to demonstrate leadership, and achieve the changes needed for the sector.
“We have listened to the findings and the criticisms. We accept that we have not always met public expectations, and we have at times fallen short of the communities we exist within, and for.”
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