[LINK] The Corporatisation of Tertiary Training

[jwhit at internode.on.net]

Keep in mind Swinburne's history. It wasn't always a "university". 
Providing company specific training (which as we know is a subset type
of education) is fine, as long as it's not 'sold' as a Bachelor of
Science degree because it would not be that. More like a certificate.
Nothing wrong with that, but I do hope they aren't overselling what
the students will get. Still, our "Education" Minister, Dan "Africa is
a country" Tehan will love it. 

Microsoft University and others run by corporates were a way to build
a workforce. Nothing wrong with that either, but they shouldn't be
called 'university' either. Remember, there was once a Trump
University, too. They were shut down because, well, fraud.
Jan

----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Clarke" 
To:
Cc:
Sent:Mon, 26 Oct 2020 09:24:44 +1100
Subject:Re: [LINK] The Corporatisation of Tertiary Training

 > On 21/10/20 1:36 pm, Roger Clarke wrote:
 >> [ It's remarkable how long the concept lasted of a university
being
 >> independent in respect of content development, content projection,
and
 >> degree-granting. ...

 On 26/10/20 8:45 am, Tom Worthington wrote:
 > Australian universities were established to provide trained
 > professionals and useful research, not just to think great
thoughts.
 > 
 > It is getting more transactional, but it has always been the case
that
 > if a university didn't produce useful graduates or research, then
it
 > would have difficulty attracting funding.

 Agreed.

 But my point was less about whether AWS produces quality materials
and
 useful graduates - because I have no insights into those questions.

 One concern is that the degree is a "collaboration", and "verified by
 AWS Educate" - although, the students, after paying for the degree,
may
 have to pay more to AWS afterwards, because "students in the degree
 won’t automatically receive certification from AWS".

 The biggest issue, however, is that the statement that the students
are
 to "gain skills and first-hand knowledge of AWS’ product
development
 methodology" gives rise to a serious risk that students won't get
 general principles and standards-based approaches supplemented by
 exposure to several different proprietary tools, but will instead
 themselves be tools of AWS's market domination strategy.

 _______________________

 >> Swinburne Uni launches AWS-backed cloud degree
 >> Matt Johnston itNews Oct 21 2020
 >>
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/swinburne-uni-launches-aws-backed-cloud-degree-554926
 >>
 > 
 > I prefer an approach where you can get a broad education, plus can
 > obtain specific industry certifications for a job.
 >
https://blog.highereducationwhisperer.com/2020/09/higher-education-in-post-pandemic-world.html
 > 
 > 
 > 

 -- 
 Roger Clarke mailto:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au
 T: +61 2 6288 6916 http://www.xamax.com.au http://www.rogerclarke.com

 Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd 78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA

 Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Law University of N.S.W.
 Visiting Professor in Computer Science Australian National University
 _______________________________________________
 Link mailing list
 Link at mailman.anu.edu.au
 http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/link