UTS is joining with universities around Australia in a new campaign to support the crucial role of university education and research in Australia's long-term national productivity and prosperity.
The Keep it Clever public awareness campaign was unveiled today by Universities Australia to build public awareness of university education and research to ensure Australia is not left behind in an increasingly competitive global environment.
The campaign uses a creative animation to deliver a serious message and includes a web film, digital, print, outdoor and national television advertising. It is also looking for tangible public support via a petition calling for bipartisan support for proper, ongoing public investment in university education and research.
Chief Executive of Universities Australia, Belinda Robinson, said that success in making the economic and industrial transition to the economy of the future demands a strong Australian university sector.
"Underpinning every successful nation is a highly capable university education and research sector," she said.
"The economy of the future is dependent on universities producing graduates with the right skills. It will rely on university research creating the new products, industries, technologies and finding solutions to problems that we are even yet to identify.
"Investing in universities is an investment in long-term national productivity and prosperity.
"With international education our fourth largest export and largest outside natural resources, maintaining and enhancing our competitiveness as a destination of choice for international students, teachers and researchers is a national economic and reputational imperative."
Universities also employ more than 110,000 people and directly contribute more than $23 billion to GDP. University graduates are worth an extraordinary $188 billion to the economy annually and pay $32 billion in tax.
"This campaign provides the opportunity for people to get on board in a variety of ways to join in a national discussion about the role of ideas, ingenuity, higher education and research in securing national wealth, health and well-being," Ms Robinson said.
You can access the campaign, where you can sign the petition and show your support, at keepitclever.com.au or facebook.com/keepitcleveraus.
- The Keep it Clever public awareness campaign was unveiled today to build public awareness of university education and research to ensure Australia is not left behind in an increasingly competitive global environment
- The campaign uses a creative animation to deliver a serious message and is looking for tangible public support via an online petition