The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to increase its funding contribution for undergraduate places in mathematics and statistics.
In 2016 funding will rise by 22.3 per cent from the current projected rate of $9,849 to $12,045 — an increase of 25.6 per cent over the current 2014 rate. Mathematics and statistics will be funded at the same rate as clinical psychology, nursing, allied health, engineering, science, surveying, environmental studies and foreign languages.
The change recognises both the costs of teaching in the mathematical sciences and the private returns to graduates.
“This measure is an important first step in rebuilding graduate numbers, especially at a time when around 40 per cent of year 7-10 classes don’t have a trained maths teacher” says AMSI Director, Professor Geoff Prince. “All Australian governments need to address this critical vulnerability”, he said.
AMSI calls on university managements to pass on the increase to their mathematics and statistics departments. This discipline has high strategic value for Australia and the universities need to follow the Government’s lead.
AMSI joins with the Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb AC, in his concern for the lack of strategic planning in the broad science sector and his disappointment in cuts made to the science budget.
Sources:
Allocation of units of study to funding clusters and student contribution bands according to Field of Education Codes for 2014
For Interview
Professor Geoff Prince
Director, Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute
M: 0407 546 336
E: director@amsi.org.au
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Mari Ericksen
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M: 0434 252 695
E: mari@amsi.org.au
