ACDS response to the ATEC Statement of Strategic Priorities 2027-28 consultation paper

The Australian Council of Deans of Science (ACDS) has responded cautiously to the consultation on the Australian Tertiary Education Commission’s (ATEC’s) draft Statement of Strategic Priorities. A central message of our response is that higher education policy needs a longer-term view of national capability. While workforce needs, equity and teaching quality are rightly front and centre, Australia’s future prosperity will also depend on sustained investment in foundational science, research training, laboratories, digital infrastructure, and international partnerships.

Universities are not only preparing graduates for today’s jobs; they are building the knowledge, skills and research capacity needed to respond to
challenges we cannot yet predict.

The submission also highlights the importance of recognising the diverse missions and contexts of Australian universities. A strong system should support collaboration rather than competition alone, encourage pathways across vocational and higher education, and ensure that students and researchers, regardless of location, have opportunities to reach global standards. In science and other research-intensive disciplines, high-quality education depends on more than curriculum design. It requires investment in people, facilities and long-term capability building that strengthens Australia’s international standing and sovereign capacity in emerging technologies and innovation.

Read the full ACDS Response