On the Brink : Australia's Universities Confronting their Future

"In the wake of the Dawkins reforms and the controversial West review, the beleaguered tertiary sector now confronts an increasingly uncertain future. This timely, stimulating study raises key issues about Australia. s turbulent university sector, including:· the role of universities in Australia. s future · degree factories or communities of scholars? · the place of research in the university · competition from new education providers · technological change and "virtual" universities · reconciling academic tradition with contemporary realitiesAlways lively and easily readable, Coaldrake and Stedman have collaborated to create a book of great worth to all those interested in post secondary and university education."--Publisher website Table of Contents -- One. Grappling with new realities -- Two. Drifting into trouble -- Three. The purpose of a university -- Four. The university identity crisis -- Five. Teaching: from side show to a main event -- Six. Research: making it count -- Seven. Universities learning to manage themselves -- Eight. Paying the piper -- Nine. Poisoned iv