RQF decision welcomed by University of Adelaide

Friday, 21 December 2007

Today's announcement by the Federal Government to scrap the Research Quality Framework (RQF) in its current form has been welcomed by the University of Adelaide.

Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha says the RQF has been "a huge waste of taxpayers' money and universities' money and time".

"I have always agreed with the basic aims of the RQF - a framework aimed at ensuring that Australia's universities are conducting quality research. I fully support the idea of ensuring that all research is quality research," Professor McWha says.

"However, the RQF ignored the basis on which most of our research funding is provided - that is, competitive funding awarded to universities based on peer review and quality of work - in favour of a process designed to increase red tape for an already under-funded university sector.

"I welcome today's announcement by Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

"It is especially pleasing to see that the Rudd Government is willing to work with universities to develop a new research quality measure - one that is streamlined, metrics-driven, and provides a balance between disciplines.

"It is also pleasing to see that the Government will continue to provide financial support to universities, which have already spent millions of dollars preparing for the RQF."

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