The Victorian Government has introduced legislation before State Parliament that it says will support Victorian university councils and TAFE boards in responding to future challenges and changes to the industry.

 

State Higher Education Minister, Peter Hall, said the legislation would provide flexibility for governing councils and boards to vary their size and composition and allow TAFEs and universities adopt modern governance practices.

 

“Recent studies have highlighted the need for higher education institutes to evolve to respond to changing technology and different service demands from students,” Mr Hall said.

 

“After extensive consultation with our tertiary education institutions, we have acted to ensure that our higher education and vocational training institutions can better tailor their governance needs to the fast changing and increasingly competitive tertiary education environment.”

 

Mr Hall said the legislative changes would see the Governor in Council appoint the Chairman of Victoria’s TAFE institutes, with the remaining directors to be appointed by the Minister.

 

“It takes very specific skills to oversee a large public educational institution and selecting people with the right skills and experience to excel in the job is vital,” Mr Hall said.

 

“We believe local people with the right governance skills should be on TAFE boards and university councils, and I intend to continue to make appointments in consultation with existing boards.