I’ve added my voice to this campaign to demonstrate to the Australian government that research and science innovation should be supported. Our Government has earmarked several harsh funding cuts in the upcoming budget release, including hints to cut research funds and green energy technologies. Let’s protect Australian research and learning.
Some figures from the Keep It Clever campaign:
Australia’s university system is ranked 8th globally.
Our universities employ over 110,000 staff and directly contribute over $23 billion to our GDP.
Australia has produced 12 Nobel Prize winners.
Every day millions of people around the world rely on Australian discoveries to make their lives, and the lives of others, better. Think of: Cochlear Ear Implant; Gardasil Cervical Cancer Vaccine; Relenza Flu Drug; High Efficiency Photovoltaic Solar Cell.
A third of jobs will require a university degree in the coming years.
High skilled jobs are growing 1.6 times faster than low skilled ones.
By 2025, there could be a shortfall of 280,000 people with the higher level qualifications needed by industry and the economy.
The latest OECD figures show our public investment in tertiary education as a percentage of GDP is ranked just 25th out of 30 advanced economies.
Emerging economies like China, India and Brazil are making university education and research amongst their highest priorities.
Don’t let Australia get left behind! Sign the petition to support university education and research http://bit.ly/KeepItCleverPetition
The Other Sociologist 