Review of Australian Higher Education The Bradley Review

1. The opportunity: what higher education
could do for Australia
1.1 Purposes and public benefits of
higher education
The Australian higher education system has
three main purposes: learning and teaching,
research, and community engagement, which at
the University of Melbourne we organise under
the concept of knowledge transfer. Knowledge
transfer is recognised as an important part of
the mission of many universities. Knowledge
transfer can be defined as the direct, two-way
interactions between the University and its
external communities, involving the development,
exchange and application of knowledge and
expertise for mutual benefit.
The University of Melbourne is deeply engaged in
all three of these purposes. Looking at the system
more broadly, including the private sector and
the TAFEs now offering degree courses, not all
institutions engage in all three purposes; rather
there is a spectrum of missions. All institutions
teach, but involvement in research and knowledge
transfer varies significantly.
Many Australians enjoy the intellectual and
economic benefits of having studied at a higher
education institution. But all Australians benefit
indirectly from higher education. The skills of
university-educated managers and professionals
are essential to the high quality of life in Australia.
University research contributes to better
health and to solving a wide range of social,
environmental and economic problems. Universityeducated
people have high levels of activity in
political and civic life, and university academics are
important contributors to public debate.
University of Melbourne Bradley Review Submission