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Good afternoon

Fears are growing in the university sector about the impact of the Albanese government’s caps on international students. But splits are appearing within the sector as the Australian Technology Network universities call for a uniform cap of 35 per cent of international students (as a proportion of total full-time students) for those studying onshore in Australia.

This would hurt many Group of Eight universities, particularly the University of Sydney whose proportion of international students is currently 47 per cent. However other universities, including those in the ATN, are under 35 per cent – in some cases well under – and hope that a flat 35 per cent cap would give them room to grow.

This year Macquarie University celebrates its 60th anniversary . The first of the so-called “gum tree” universities to be established (named after their landscaping choice) it was at the head of the wave of new universities in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Vice-chancellor Bruce Dowton is looking forward even as he reaches back to revive some of the early spirit and educational approach of Macquarie in its exciting early years.

Until next Wednesday


Tim Dodd
Higher education editor
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