Alec Webb

The Government’s decision to enact Ministerial Direction 111 will ensure that Australia’s smaller and regional universities will be heading into 2025 under a much fairer visa processing regime that recognises all universities as high-quality providers. The Regional Universities Network (RUN) Chief Executive Officer Alec Webb said the Government has listened to, and acted upon, the […]

The Government’s 2024/25 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) has set the stage for regional university students to benefit from the funding of important reforms to the tertiary education sector.  The Regional Universities Network (RUN) Chief Executive Officer Alec Webb said today’s MYEFO 2024-25 update has seen the Government take decisive steps towards a more

29 November 2024 The re-appointment of the Hon. Fiona Nash as the Regional Education Commissioner has been warmly received by the Regional Universities Network (RUN).   RUN Chief Executive Officer Alec Webb said the continuation of Ms Nash in the important role has reaffirmed a bipartisan commitment to advancing the case of regional education in

27 November 2024 The Regional Universities Network (RUN) welcomes the passing of legislation designed to provide greater university access and cost-of-study relief to millions of Australians, particularly those living in regional areas.  The passing of the Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024 (the Bill) delivers upon key recommendations from the Australian Universities

25 November 2024 The twenty universities of the Regional Universities Network (RUN), Innovative Research Universities (IRU) and Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) have united in a call for all sides of politics to work together in implementing a principles-based solution to Australia international student visa processing problem.  In launching the joint statement, RUN, IRU

18 November 2024 The Innovative Research Universities (IRU) and the Regional Universities Network (RUN) have joined together to call for strong political leadership to rectify the damage done to Australia’s higher education sector by Ministerial Directive 107.    The rumoured defeat of the ESOS Amendment Bill means that Ministerial Direction 107 – which the Government and

27 August 2024 The Albanese Government’s announcement on international students finally signals the end to a period of uncertainty that has been disproportionally impacting Australia’s regional universities.  In welcoming today’s announcement to replace Ministerial Direction 107 – the policy instrument used to throttle the enrolment of international students at all but a handful of large

26 June 2024 The Regional Universities Network (RUN) welcomes the announcement of an independent Australian Research Council (ARC) Board.  In welcoming the announcement of the Board, RUN congratulates Chair Professor Peter Shergold AC, Deputy Chair Professor Susan Dodds FAHA, and other members on their appointment.  RUN is pleased to see the recommendation relating to greater

15 May 2024 The Regional Universities Network (RUN) commends the Government for establishing the Australian Universities Accord Implementation Advisory Committee. Alec Webb, Executive Director of RUN, said the Committee will undertake crucial engagement with the sector to inform the legislative design of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) and the new Managed Growth Funding System,

14 May 2024 The 2024-25 Budget is large on rhetoric and promises of sectoral reform but does little to address the pressing needs of Australia’s higher education sector, especially Australia’s regional universities. While the Regional Universities Network (RUN) is gladdened to see some recommendations from the Accord adopted in the Budget, especially those ensuring the