Universities essential to economic transition: Deakin welcomes new campaign

Deakin University welcomes the launch of a new stage of Keep It Clever advertising during the federal election campaign to highlight the essential role of universities in economic transition and job creation.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander said the campaign would focus on the role that universities play in people’s day-to-day lives, telling the stories of university graduates and university research breakthroughs that save lives, create new businesses, and generate economic growth.

“Economic transition simply cannot be achieved without a strong university sector; one that produces a highly skilled workforce and creates new jobs and new industries to replace the ones that are disappearing,” Professor den Hollander said.

“We need an increasingly skilled workforce if we are to meet the needs of the new world and the jobs that are created.

“During this election campaign, it's important to keep raising awareness about the contribution that universities make to Australia’s economic and social wellbeing.

“Deakin remains convinced that a world class and equitable higher education system requires strong and consistent policy and long-term Government investment supported by private contribution.

“The Keep It Clever campaign is not a commentary on the respective policies of the parties. It does not seek to influence voting behaviours. Rather, it’s about telling the story of how university education and research benefits everyone.

“The teacher in a child's primary school, the doctor who treats elderly parents, the engineer who designed the bridge you drive over every day - all of them were educated in universities. Along with ground-breaking university research, our graduates are making a huge difference to the quality of Australians lives and the essential services we rely on.""

The campaign was launched on Monday by chair of Universities Australia Professor Barney Glover at the Futureproof 2016 conference in Sydney. In his speech, he emphasised that this campaign was not about swaying voters or affecting the election outcome.

“This may be a campaign in an election, but it is not an election campaign,” he said.

The campaign started Monday with national newspaper advertising. TV and digital advertising will follow.

Supporters can sign the Keep it Clever petition at keepitclever.com.au and follow the campaign via the hashtag #keepitclever.