Professor Lewis is best known for his work on the minimum wage and employment and is on the Editorial Board for the Australian Journal of Labour Economics.UC-CIT collaboration heralds new education era
The University of Canberra and ACT Government are to establish an entirely new third institution: the University of Canberra Institute of Technology.
The University of Canberra will continue to deliver degrees from bachelor to doctor and continue to build its research profile.
The University and the Canberra Institute of Technology will bring together all their diploma, advanced diplomas and associate degrees in the new joint venture, which will have its headquarters on the University of Canberra campus.
“This new venture is highly innovative; arguably a national first if not an international one,” University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Parker said.
“It brings together the best in vocational and higher education, which is a fantastic outcome for students and a fantastic outcome for Canberra. But it also sees the University of Canberra retain its name and independence. University of Canberra students will continue to graduate with University of Canberra degrees, which will increase in value as our research reputation grows.
“Canberra has taken an important step towards truly becoming Australia’s Education Capital by choosing to deliver its TAFE courses, diplomas and university degrees in a systematic and connected way.
“UCIT’s mission will have a strong focus on equity and it will seek to encourage students from low SES backgrounds into tertiary education.
“UCIT will be attractive to many kinds of students, including from overseas who wish to undertake a one to two year program that might be an end in itself or might lead on to further study.”
Professor Parker said the new institution would begin operations in 2013 and would introduce innovations in the way education was delivered.
“By collaborating in all the areas where the two institutions overlap we remove the inefficiency created by competition between two providers in a relatively small market, which is good for students and good for the taxpayer, but we retain each institution’s character and independence,” Professor Parker added.
Under the new arrangements CIT will focus on Certificates 1 to 4 (Australian Qualifications Framework 1 to 4). UCIT will offer AQF 5 and 6 (diplomas, advanced diplomas and associate degrees). The University of Canberra’s focus will be on Bachelor to Doctor (AQF 7 to 10).
Contact the University of Canberra media team.
Ed O’Daly M: 0408 829 618 T: 02 6201 2441
Amanda Powell M: 0408 826 362 T: 02 6201 5422
