Arabic version: خطة دمج جامعات أستراليا الغربية تثير مخاوف

According to ABC News, the Western Australian government is developing a business case to merge the University of Western Australia, Curtin University and Murdoch University. The proposal has raised questions about effects on students, staff, the economy and taxpayers, while details including a potential name and campus arrangements remain unknown.

The government says a combined institution of almost 120,000 students could create a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the state. Premier Roger Cook said it could maximise economic benefits, improve student outcomes, boost research funding, attract and retain students, and address low degree-completion rates. Education Minister Tony Buti said universities face duplicated offerings, fragmented investment and limited scale, arguing reform is needed to keep the sector world-class.

Curtin vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne said she had deep concern about what she described as a costly effort to fix something that was not broken. She said Curtin would vigorously oppose an amalgamation. Murdoch vice-chancellor Andrew Deeks said the merger would absolutely not give WA students a better education. UWA vice-chancellor Amit Chakma praised the government’s strategic direction but said his support was based on aspirations rather than the university’s current financial situation.

Students have also voiced fears over disruption, lost choice and a larger institution in which people could fall through the cracks. Curtin Student Guild president Dylan Storer said the plan could reduce options and diversity in WA tertiary education. Shadow education minister Liam Staltari said the unanswered question was what the proposal would cost taxpayers. The premier suggested land held by the universities could be repurposed for housing to help fund a merger.

The business case will be guided by a steering committee chaired by Mark Barnaba, with findings due by the middle of 2027. Barnaba dismissed suggestions a merger would lead to job cuts. More than two-thirds of WA university staff surveyed by the National Tertiary Education Union oppose the proposal, and the union has pledged to fight it. Edith Cowan University and Notre Dame in Fremantle are not included.