University students and staff rally against proposed UWA, Murdoch and Curtin merger
Students and staff at Western Australian universities are protesting a government proposal to merge three public institutions into one massive university. Critics argue the plan is a wasteful corporate restructure that ignores the need for better student support and affordable housing.
Why it matters
The protest reflects growing tensions between government-led institutional consolidation and the priorities of the academic community regarding student welfare.
University students hold placards as they protest against a proposed university merger. ( ABC News: Andrew O'Connor )
Link copied Share Share article More than 300 university students and staff have marched on Parliament House to protest a controversial plan to merge three of Western Australia's four public universities.
The government last week announced a steering committee to investigate the merits of combining the University of Western Australia, Curtin and Murdoch to create Australia's largest university with more 100,000 students.
More than 300 university students and staff joined the protest. ( ABC News: Lucy Murray )
The move was immediately slammed as expensive and wasteful by both Murdoch and Curtin universities, while UWA Vice Chancellor Amit Chakma praised the "aspiration" of the plan and its desire to improve the sector.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in