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Good morning

Australia’s international education industry is moving into new territory with the Albanese government expected, by mid-year, to impose caps on the number of international student visas it issues in order to limit the number of international students in the country. With the government under intense political pressure to show it is dealing with the rental housing shortage, and facing an election within the year, a cap on international students will be powerful means to persuade voters that it has the solutions they want.

Sure it will create problems on other fronts – both in the economy and in relations with other countries in the region – but it’s no surprise that political needs come first when an election is drawing close.

Ken McKinnon, who at 93 is one of the doyens of Australian education, continues to do what he’s done all his career – leave things better than he finds them in the education system. Ken, who built the University of Wollongong as its vice-chancellor from 1981 to 1995, and his wife Suzanne Walker, a UOW alumnus, have given $5m to the university to fund higher degree research fellowships.

Ken’s long involvement with education goes back as far as pre-independence Papua New Guinea where he rose through the ranks to become director of education. After PNG became independent Ken was appointed as the first chairman of the Australian Schools Commission, established by the Whitlam Government. Then he led UOW until his retirement in 1995 but continued to contribute mightily to universities and public life in general.

This is not he and Suzanne’s first gift to UOW and it won’t be their last. He told me the university can expect more in their bequest.

Until next Wednesday

Tim Dodd
Higher education editor
‘ECONOMIC HARM’
Labor visa go-slow ‘favours elite unis’
The Albanese government’s slow down of student visa processing has penalised regional and smaller universities, says the Coalition’s Sarah Henderson.
TIM DODD
COMMENTARY
Student visa caps are bad policy, with political upside
Labor is expected to put visa caps on international students in an attempt to solve its policy mess. It’s a very bad idea.
By TIM DODD
PERSONAL DONATION
Doyen of education fulfils wish with $5m gift
University of Wollongong’s former leader gives back to the university with an astounding $5 million gift from him and his wife.
By TIM DODD
COMMENTARY
Universities face a very different future
It’s definitely not business as usual for universities. Here are some of the major changes they face following the Universities Accord review.
By JOHN DEWAR
UNEXPECTED MOVE
University leader suddenly steps down
University of Wollongong vice-chancellor Patricia Davidson has made the surprise decision to leave after only three years in the job.
By TIM DODD
COMMENTARY
Visa policy forces ‘risky strategy’ on university
The Albanese government’s student visa policies threaten the financial viability of the new city campus of Charles Darwin University.
By SCOTT BOWMAN
‘DEEP REGRETS’
University admits to underpaying thousands of staff
James Cook University has told the Fair Work Ombudsman it may have underpaid casual employees and has launched a full review.
By TIM DODD
RESEARCH
‘Focus on solutions’: how to simulate a warmer climate
A little known ‘climate chamber’ at the University of Sydney may prepare the world for hotter days to come – and now it’s taking to the global stage.
By ELIZABETH PIKE
EMOTION AND STRUGGLE
Artist’s shock at winning UniSQ inaugural art prize
The University of Southern Queensland has chosen the winners of its inaugural $40,000 biennial art award, intended to celebrate contemporary art.
By TIM DODD