ALA

7 December 2006

$83 million for teaching excellence in
Australia’s universities 

The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, today announced the twenty‑one universities which are being recognised for excellence with awards from the $83 million in the Learning and Teaching Performance Fund for 2007.

The Australian Government introduced the fund under the Our Universities: Backing Australia’s Future package of reforms and initiatives. The fund rewards excellence in learning and teaching for undergraduate students.

Universities were recognised for their achievements in the following discipline groups:

·          Science, Computing, Engineering, Architecture and Agriculture;

·          Business, Law and Economics;

·          Humanities, Arts and Education; and

·          Health.

“I congratulate the winning universities, particularly those universities who have received awards in more than one discipline group,” Minister Bishop said at the ceremony at Parliament House.

“I am pleased this year’s fund acknowledged the excellence in learning and teaching within our universities.

“Our universities should be proud of their achievements in learning and teaching.  Although the fund has rewarded the top achievers, we must recognise that the whole sector is responsible for
Australia’s outstanding reputation for quality.”

A further nine universities have been rewarded for a high level of achievement in learning and teaching.

The universities receiving funding are attached.

For further information, visit: http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/higher_education/policy_issues_reviews/key_issues/learning_teaching/ltpf/2007ltpf.htm 

Media Contacts:Minister Bishop’s Office:                                            
Murray Hansen                                  0417 886 155Dept of Education, Science & Training:                                   Media Unit                            02 6240 7300Non-media queries                                                                                                     1300 363 079

Attachment A2007 Learning and Teaching Performance Fund winners 

These tables show the top bands of achievement for each discipline group.  Universities appear in alphabetical order. 

Universities in Band A1 or A2 will receive a student load‑related grant for each discipline group in which they appear, plus a single university grant of $1 million.  The load related grant will be weighted by 1.5 for A1 universities and 1.0 for A2.  For funding detail, please see Attachment B. 

An additional group of 9 universities not featured in the “A” list merit recognition as having performed well in a highly competitive context.  These universities will receive a grant of $500,000.