The level of public funding of Australian universities has reached “alarming” levels that could eventually compromise the quality of Australian higher education and could force Australian students to get their degrees in China and elsewhere overseas, according to CQU’s Vice Chancellor.

“That ought to be of great concern to us,” said Professor John Rickard, who believes the higher education sector would not be able to sustain any further reductions of government funding without fundamentally changing its appearance or mode of operation.

CQU derived only 23.9% of its total funding from the Department of Education, Science and Training in 2004 compared to 61.9% in 1994.

Developing nations such as China, Singapore and South Korea are putting significant amounts of government money and resources into developing their universities and institutions at a time when Australia is reducing funding levels.

“These countries will and are becoming increasingly competitive,” said Professor Rickard.

“In a decade or so we may see some of our brightest talents getting on a plane and heading over to Asia... simply because the level of public resources going into those institutions mean that they will sustain quality institutions, quality infrastructure and provide resources better than [Australian universities] can.".

The Vice Chancellor’s comments were made during a taped interview for a story on higher education in crisis to be aired on ABC’s Four Corners on 27 June 830pm. CQU and at least four other institutions were approached by the ABC. CQU Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and Research Professor Jim Mienczakowski was interviewed also.