Regulator mooted to ensure academic freedom

The Australian, Wednesday, 01/09/2010 p25


Notes:
*Labor government: extend powers to oversee academic freedom
*Opposition: limited public scrutiny of research would be an assault on freedom of speech
*The Coalition: stop Labor's advocacy science
*Macquarie University vice-chancellor: academics must stay up-to-date in their field,understand the techniques of their discipline


Summary:
A Labor government would extend the powers of the higher education regulator to oversee academic freedom. However, Opposition education spokesman said limited public scruting of research would be an assault on freedom of speech. And the Coalition's new higher education policy has promised to "stop Labor's advocacy science". The vice-chancellor of Macquarie University said that academic must tay up-to-date in their field and understand the techniques of their discipline.


Personal Reflections:
I think the government should take moderate freedom to academics. If there is no control about freedom, the academic education will definitely be a panic. As a result, students can't focus on research but look for a loophole on kinds of theories. If the government allows but limits the freedom, everyone can express their ideas and show great creativity. So in my opinion, the government should make decision by considering the real need of the academics.