A push for the University of Canberra to take over the embattled Canberra Institute of Technology is gaining traction, with the federal Education Minister declaring a merger should be considered.
Jason Clare has joined a chorus of high-profile supporters eager for the ACT government to consider combining its two public higher education institutions.
"This is an idea we should explore. We need to break down the artificial barrier between TAFE and uni," Mr Clare said.
"Closer collaboration could make it easier for students to get the qualifications they need and help build the workforce Canberra needs."
The Australian Tertiary Education Commission's chief commissioner, Barney Glover, said there was an exciting opportunity for the ACT to examine a dual-sector university.
A combined university would be a great way to share infrastructure and opportunities, address skills shortages and develop new qualifications, including micro-credentials, he said.
"I think it'll lead to greater sustainability of both CIT and the University of Canberra, because it'll give scale and efficiency, as well as all of the benefits of improved pathways and more streamlined opportunities for students," Professor Glover said.
Professor Glover said there was a chance to bring the two institutions together while the federal government backed tertiary harmonisation as part of boosting productivity and improving student outcomes.
"I think the zeitgeist is right for the University of Canberra and CIT," he said.
Finance Minister and ACT Labor senator Katy Gallagher said she was very supportive of examining whether a merger stacked up for both the university and CIT.
"I've always been keen for these two important Canberra educational institutions to look at ways they can work more closely together, strengthen what they offer and unlock new opportunities for students and Canberra's education system," Senator Gallagher said.
"I hope this can be looked at as quickly as possible and that all impacted stakeholders come to the discussion with an open mind about what's best for students, academics and staff, local businesses and Canberra."
Independent ACT senator David Pocock said there was a very compelling case for a merger of CIT and the University of Canberra.
Tertiary education needed to be rethought to more closely align trades training with university offerings to equip students in a future affected by artificial intelligence (AI), he said.
"A merger between CIT and UC would help bolster CIT's governance and financial failings to the benefit of both staff, students and all Canberrans," Senator Pocock said.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said there was merit to considering more opportunities for UC and CIT collaboration where it could deliver better outcomes for students.
"Any proposal for more significant structural change would need to demonstrate clear benefits for students and the ACT, secure broad support from both institutions, and be subject to thorough consultation with staff and stakeholders," Mr Barr said in a statement.
Canberra Institute of Technology board chair Tom Rogers said a merger was a matter for the government but he looked forward to a productive and close working relationship with UC and other universities.
"I've spoken to [University of Canberra vice-chancellor Bill] Shorten already. We're having a meeting, I think, in a couple of weeks. But that's more about making sure the links that already exist with our strong pathways to the bachelor program at UC are strong and are working," Mr Rogers said.
"I know there's been some speculation over the years. It's not the first time this has been raised, by the way. It was looked at in detail about a decade ago, I think. It really is a matter for government."
The Canberra Times contacted the University of Canberra on Wednesday. Mr Shorten is expected to address the media on Thursday morning.
The university's Reconnected 2025-27 strategy said UC would "continue to foster and expand our trusted collaborations with CIT" and "work collaboratively to design seamless pathways between secondary education, VET and higher education to support student mobility and career progression".
Former ACT chief minister Kate Carnell said she had long supported merging the two institutions and bringing them together would give Canberra a point of difference and improve career pathways for students.
Bringing TAFE and a university together in the ACT was painfully obvious and would also make it easier to offer micro-credentials designed to help graduates into jobs, she said.
"The fact is [CIT has] got some very real problems at the moment. That's not me saying it. It's just an obvious statement of fact. And so the timing to actually do this is right now," Ms Carnell said.
Property Council ACT and capital region executive director Ashlee Berry welcomed the suggestion of a merger.
"For industry, the priority is ensuring Canberra has a training and education system that responds to workforce demand and produces graduates with the practical skills employers need," Ms Berry said.
"Skills shortages continue to affect many sectors across the ACT, including construction, property, engineering, health, hospitality and other critical industries that underpin the territory's economy."
Canberra Region Tourism Leaders Forum chair David Marshall said his organisation absolutely supported a merger.
"Obviously, they're both owned by the ACT government, so it should be quite seamless. A lot of the universities interstate haven't got that relationship with government or there's private sector people involved ... I think here with some sensible discussions, it's something we'd all benefit from," Mr Marshall said.
A landmark review of the ACT's public service and government recommended merging the University of Canberra with CIT in 2011, which was backed by a follow-up examination of amalgamation.
Denise Bradley's 2011 review of a possible amalgamation said: "If the institutions are to come together, given their size, reputation and history a new institution must be formed - a dual sector university. This must be seen and managed as a partnership of equals, not a takeover of one institution by another."
But the ACT government walked away from the recommendation in late 2011 and then in 2012 dropped a plan for the two institutions to establish a third, jointly run education provider.
with Sarah Lansdown
