No Merger!

A joint statement from both of the University’s Chancellors was released over the weekend. It read:

“…the feasibility study undertaken by the universities had revealed that a merger could be beneficial but that it would also be a highly complex & expensive process with no guarantee of success…there is a significant risk that the outcomes would not justify the cost, which could be as high as tens of millions of dollars over many years and the major reorganization & restructuring required…it is in the best interest of both universities…it is decided that the two universities would be better served at this point by continuing to explore research and other synergies but remaining separate institutions…in addition, Murdoch & Curtin will examine options aimed at increasing the viability of courses with low enrolments…”

A relieve :) I think with the announcement, Sir Walter Murdoch & everyone who associates themselves with Murdoch University will be celebrating Murdoch’s 30 years of brilliance (1975 – 2005) with pride. That is one identity that cannot be taken away from us.

I know that some universities are finding it difficult to compete in today’s strain student market. The landscape of the global education industry has transformed greatly over the years. As people are no longer isolated – domestic competition has revolve to regional competition that fights for the same pie and a declining economy means the lack of funding from the government – all this has make more and more academic establishments to find means to upgrade themselves, to re-brand themselves and some have even resorted to being more commercialized than others. The current trend is for universities to branch out by opening sister campuses in other regions. And with such composition of local and international presence, every country wants to be an education hub and the gold mine is the International Students (fully loaded cash cows) with the majorities coming from China and other parts of Asia. Nonetheless, the function and the integrity of a university should not be succumbed for money-making.

Newcastle kicked some balls and clinched a 1-0 win over Birmingham.
Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2-0. If they win more games, than they are no flukes in the European League.

Tomorrow – one step at a time. Remember to count 1 to 10 and breath.