VC speaks at HECS conference in Berlin

27 October 2003

Professor Rory Hume has participated in a bilateral conference in Berlin on financing higher education.

Professor Hume spoke about university funding models, private investment and governance to representatives of the German government and members of the HRK, the German equivalent of the Australian Vice-Chancellor's Committee.

Professor Gavin Brown of the University of Sydney and Professor Ian Chubb of the Australian National University also addressed the conference, which took place at the Australian embassy in Berlin.

Other speakers included the architect of HECS, ANU economist Professor Bruce Chapman, senior officers of the Department of Education, Science and Training, and representatives of the German and Australian national students' unions.

Higher education reform is currently a topic of debate in both Germany and Australia - in particular, the issue of student contributions to the cost of university funding. In Germany, university students have never paid tuition fees. However, increasing financial difficulties have led to Germany considering the introduction of student contributions, with the Australian HECS scheme one of the models being closely examined.

Further information is available from Dr Ditta Bartels, director of UNSW International Research Programs and managing director of Australia Centre Berlin, on 02 9385 2983.

The full text of Professor Hume's speech is available here.