UOW labelled 'poster child' for what is wrong with university sector

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has been labelled the "poster child" for failures in governance across the sector.

Union, student and community representatives used a public forum in Wollongong on Monday night to demand action on the findings of a NSW parliamentary inquiry into the state's 10 public universities.

The inquiry found existing governance structure was "not fit for purpose" and universities had swung too far towards corporatisation at the expense of education, research and public service.

The NSW secretary of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), Vince Caughley, took aim at the local institution in a scathing assessment of the sector.

"Too much power concentrated in councils and senior management, not enough staff and student voice," he said.

"There's poor transparency, there's over-reliance on consultants, there's really weak accountability for major commercial decisions.

"Unfortunately … the University of Wollongong is the poster child for the worst of each of these elements."

Those concerned echoed the findings of the NSW parliamentary inquiry.

In her foreword to the final report which was released last week, inquiry chair and Labor MP Sarah Kaine, wrote: "Universities are not private corporations; they are public institutions established by Parliament, supported by public resources, and entrusted with advancing education, research and the public good."

At the forum, Dr Kaine said it was time to press the case for reform.

"We have a unique opportunity as we head towards a state election, when politicians become especially sensitive to issues the public cares about," she said.

"These are not just whingeing academics in their ivory towers.

"We need to make the case that universities are public institutions that serve the public good, and we need to make that case politically."

Universities receive substantial federal funding but are established under state laws, giving the NSW Parliament a direct role in how they are governed.

But Australia Institute chief executive Richard Denniss told the forum that division of responsibility could have its drawbacks.

"Essentially the states [say] we don't care if the unis waste fed[eral] money," he said.

Dr Denniss also questioned claims of a financial crisis being used to justify restructures and job cuts across the sector while vice-chancellors and executives continued to receive large salaries.

He said universities were created by legislation, publicly funded and established to educate students, "not to make millionaires out of management".

UOW campus situation a 'disaster'

UOW student, Caitlin Veigel, who gave evidence to the inquiry said the situation on campus was a "disaster" telling the forum cuts to staff and courses had left some students unable to complete their degrees.

She said the university's public reputation was also suffering.

"Why would prospective students choose an institution they see as neglecting its staff and students?" Ms Veigel said.

UOW's former interim vice-chancellor John Dewar was also the focus of renewed attention in the inquiry's report after he gave evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption about his ties to consulting firm KordaMentha.

"The committee concludes that in aspects of his evidence Mr Dewar misled our inquiry regarding the nature of his relationship with KordaMentha and the extent of the conflicts of interest arising from his appointment," the report stated.

"Once again, the committee regards such actions as a very serious matter, and a potential contempt.

"It is also a very serious matter that Mr Dewar appears to have contravened his solemn undertaking to speak truthfully under oath."

UOW provost, Ana Deletic said the university will consider the inquiry's recommendations and follow the NSW government's response, while continuing a governance review that has already revamped its conflict-of-interest procedure.

In a statement, the NSW Minister for Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said the government would consider the findings and recommendations, and respond to the report in due course.