Cautious response to funding changes

A government decision to axe the HECS discount for maths and science subjects has had a mixed reaction. Maths, statistics and science units will attract Band 2 contributions under HECS from January 1, 2013. It is expected to save $403.6m over the next three years.  Jesse Marshall, National Union of Students president, said the removal of the subsidy from the national priorities band was disappointing but reasonable. Conor King, Innovative Research Universities executive director, agreed. The IRU has argued that all students should pay the same amount regardless of course.

CEO of Universities Australia Dr Glenn Withers said the removal of the subsidy was “disappointing for students in these fields” and new avenues of driving enrolments needed to be a priority.   Professor Geoff Prince, director of The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute criticised the decision saying that this is choking graduations in mathematics and statistics, particularly the number of graduates who become teachers.