ABDC is concerned not just with the role business schools play in providing a large proportion of Australia’s graduate labour force, but also the ability of Australian businesses to pursue innovation, increased productivity and growth within Australia and internationally. In our response to the House of Representatives Education and Employment Committee Inquiry into Innovation and Creativity: Workforce for the New Economy, ABDC emphasises that for truly effective government policy that embraces and enhances Australia’s capacity for university-industry collaboration, improved innovation management, increased productivity and commercialisation, it is critical that business and management skills are considered a key element.

For Australia’s tertiary system to better meet the needs of a future labour force focused on innovation and creativity, ABDC recommends that Government recognise:

• the unintended consequences of funding uncertainty and changes on the higher education sector and its international reputation;
• the importance of government support for incentivising industry-wide (especially SME) engagement in research collaboration, commercial involvement, workplace learning opportunities
• the key role government can play in achieving good student outcomes by building and showcasing best-practice in excellence and innovation in learning and teaching across the higher education sector.
• the crucial role that Australian business schools, education and research play in 1) the success and sustainability of the higher education sector; 2) developing Australia’s future workforce and leadership capability; and 3) in enhancing Australia’s capacity for university-industry collaboration, innovation management, commercialisation and development of globally competitive Australian businesses.

See submission