The UGPD Program is sponsoring two professional development programs planned for 10th and 11th of October in Canberra. A pre-conference UGPD work shop University Governors, Government and DEST Funding and the National Conference for University Governance itself. Both events will now be held at the same venue, Olf Parliament House.

The latest Program is below

University Governors, Government and DEST Funding

The workshop is an overview of funding principles and programs that underpins the Conference themes of sustainability and public policy. The conference location in Canberra is a great opportunity to hear direct from the Department itself.

University councils usually consider funding schemes individually, and hence many individual governors, particularly lay members, would not have the opportunity to learn how all the components fit together as a whole. Behind the programs DEST is required to implement lies the basic philosophy of government (such as indexation versus productivity gains). These underlie the ability of university governors to take up the Conference's challenge to "have more of a presence of on the hill".

The planned workshop has three components:

• Presentations from DEST on details of each of the major core, research, and program funding areas.
• A presentation on how they fit together from an institutional perspective, particularly now as only a component of total funding.
• A presentation on how they fit together from a sector perspective, including how changes are likely to affect universities across the sector.

National "Governance" and the National Academic Mission

The 2006 NCUG program has been announced: under the major theme the Conference will consider Council strategies in facing key challenges in higher education:

• Sustainability - How can Councils ensure that the necessary levels of public and private support are secured to develop different universities of highest capacity for Australian society?
• Public Policy - Is there a national role for Councils in shaping the character of the Australian university system, through public lobbying over policy settings, student contributions and resource arrangements?
• Stakeholder linkages - What is the appropriate function of the Council in overseeing the income diversification activities of universities, involving both commercial initiatives and fund raising?
• "De-Regulation" and "Diversity" - How should a Council accommodate national policy developments (eg new National Protocols, further private providers, an RQF, competitive funding etc), while ensuring the distinctive mission of the university in a diversified sector?
• Academic Outcomes - How does the Council (in association with the Academic Board) determine the core academic role of a university in its choice of educational programs, research initiatives and transnational activities?

Event Program (as at 5th September 2006)

		Tuesday 10th October 2006
	9:30am	University Governors, Government and DEST Funding pre-conference workshop, registration
	10am	Introducing DEST funding, "Backing Australia's Future"reforms, Colin Walters, Group Manager of Higher Education Group
	10:10am	Core and capital funding
	10:30am	Research funding
	10:50am	Special funding programs
	11:10am	DEST summary & questions, Colin Walters
	11:30am	morning tea
	11:40am	Across the Sector: futures for universities Mr Michael Gallagher (Director of Policy, ANU; and previously Head of Higher Education, DEST)
	12:20	Communicating with government: perspectives from each side of the fence Professor Stephen Bartos ( Director, National Institute for Governance, UC; and former Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Finance and Administration )
	1pm	lunch (included in workshop)
		National Conference on University Governance The links provide papers and presentations asprovided by the presenters.
	3pm	Conference Registrations and Afternoon Tea
	4pm	Welcome and Ministerial Opening , Hon Julie Bishop MP
	5pm	Keynote Address: Professor Simon Marginson (Centre for Higher Education, U of Melbourne)
	6pm	Coach Transfers direct to dinner venue or via hotels
	7pm	Conference Dinner and Speaker (Venue: National Museum of Australia)

		Wednesday 11th October 2006
	8:30am	Coffee and late registrations
	9am	Major theme and panel discussion: “Council strategies in facing key challenges in Higher Education at a time of transition” Chair:  Chancellor Vicki Sara (UTS) and Chair University Chancellor’s Committee Panel: Professor Simon Marginson  (Keynote Speaker) Professor Stephen Bartos ( Director, National Institute for Governance, U of Canberra) Mr Michael Gallagher ( Director of Policy, ANU; and previously Head of Higher Education, DEST)
	10:30am	Morning coffee
	11am	Small break-out working groups: the data as submitted sustainability of institutions public policy stakeholder linkages academic outcomes and governance strategic focus
	12:30pm	Lunch
	1:30pm	Hot Topic: “Managing Outside Paid Work – balancing benefits and risks” Speaker: Mr Brian Spencer (Registrar and Vice President, Macquarie)
	2:30pm	Feedback presentations on major theme from small group leaders Chair: Chancellor Allan Hawke   (ANU)

Program issued by Norsearch Conference Services on 19th July 2006 and is subject to change by the Convener and Program Reference Group.