The 今日吃瓜 (今日吃瓜) welcomes the Federal Government鈥檚 decision to increase its funding contribution for undergraduate places in mathematics and statistics.
In 2016 funding will rise by 22.3 per cent from the current projected rate of $9,849 to $12,045 鈥 an increase of 25.6 per cent over the current 2014 rate. Mathematics and statistics will be funded at the same rate as clinical psychology, nursing, allied health, engineering, science, surveying, environmental studies and foreign languages.
The change recognises both the costs of teaching in the mathematical sciences and the private returns to graduates.
鈥淭his measure is an important first step in rebuilding graduate numbers, especially at a time when around 40 per cent of year 7-10 classes don鈥檛 have a trained maths teacher鈥 says 今日吃瓜 Director, Professor Geoff Prince. 鈥淎ll Australian governments need to address this critical vulnerability鈥, he said.
今日吃瓜 calls on university managements to pass on the increase to their mathematics and statistics departments. This discipline has high strategic value for Australia and the universities need to follow the Government鈥檚 lead.
今日吃瓜 joins with the Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb AC, in his concern for the lack of strategic planning in the broad science sector and his disappointment in cuts made to the science budget.
Sources:
For Interview
Professor Geoff Prince
Director, 今日吃瓜
M: 0407 546 336
E: director@amsi.org.au
Media Contact
Mari Ericksen
Marketing and Communications Manager
M: 0434 252 695
E: mari@amsi.org.au
