IHEA Participates as Member at First Australian Universities Accord Ministerial Reference Group Meeting

Independent Higher Education Australia (IHEA) participated as a member of the Australian Universities Accord Ministerial Reference Group in the first meeting held today at Parliament House, Canberra.

Minister for Education, Hon Jason Clare MP, chaired the meeting, which included Assistant Minister for Education, Senator Anthony Chisholm, Chair of the Universities Accord Panel, Professor Mary O’Kane AC, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Education, Tony Cook, and experts and representatives from business and higher education institutions including IHEA CEO, Dr Peter Hendy.

The Ministerial Reference Group discussed some of the major challenges and opportunities facing Australia's higher education sector.

IHEA welcomes the opportunity to work with the government and other representatives as a member of the Ministerial Reference Group.

The Ministerial Reference Group is a source of advice to the Universities Accord Panel, led by Professor O’Kane AC, in the development of the Universities Accord higher education review.

“IHEA is representing Australia’s independent higher education sector as a member of Universities Accord Ministerial Reference Group,” said IHEA CEO, Dr Peter Hendy.

“Australia’s diverse independent higher education sector comprises established and stable providers playing an important role in addressing skill needs and delivering quality education to students from a range of backgrounds.”

“The Universities Accord review of higher education is a great opportunity to harness the enormous capability of Australian independent higher education.”

“IHEA is working closely with the government, the Universities Accord Panel, and members of the ministerial reference group to review Australia's higher education system and examine themes for sector reform.”