Two national higher education figures warned that Australia had reached a point where it may not be able to sustain the higher education system without changing its appearance or mode of operation fundamentally.

John Mullarvey, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee, believes that the level of university reporting to both state and Commonwealth governments is impinging on their ability to fulfil their academic missions. “The increasing redirection of resources away from teaching and research to meet legislative and other reporting requirements is having a strong impact on our universities,” said Mullarvey, who was in Rockhampton last week to discuss higher-ed issues with Central Queensland University’s Vice Chancellor and staff.

The federal government can’t push universities to be more autonomous and at the same time increase the amount of red tape, according to Central Queensland University Vice Chancellor John Rickard.

“I think it was a good move to encourage universities to be more self sufficient but the whole thing has gathered a momentum now that makes me ask when should we cease and have we gone too far?” said Professor Rickard.

The two higher-education executives shared their views with CQU staff Friday 17 June at a special forum entitled "Higher Education – Current and likely future issues for the sector".

The higher-ed sector is grappling with a series of changes introduced over the last 18 months by Education Minister Dr Brendan Nelson that will force universities to change the way they conduct business and engage with students. Some of the changes include a restructuring of national research priorities, reduced funding, new workplace reforms and increasing regulations designed to make universities more accountable in a more commercially competitive environment.