Australian businesses and the economy need a greater focus on Asia if they are to succeed, two Australian National University professors argue.
That means expanding educational offerings in Asian languages, politics, history and economics as well as opening up work experience opportunities, they say.
The university's vice chancellor Brian Schmidt and Michael Wesley, who is Dean of the College of Asia and the Pacific, told a parliamentary inquiry into the future of work that Australia should take advantage of its location.
Professor Wesley believes the global economy over the next century will be run by large Asian institutions and the Australian economy will operate along substantially different lines to what it has before.
To succeed, Australian businesses and workers will need to be familiar with different ways of operating companies and labour markets.
Professor Schmidt recommended expansion of language programs and education with a particular focus on the Asia Pacific region
"We recommend increased support and facilitation of student learning experiences and work experience opportunities within the Asia Pacific region," he added.
Earlier Vicki Thomson, chief executive of the Group of Eight which represents some of Australia's most prestigious and research-intensive universities, said TAFE needed to stop being seen as a lesser form of education.
"It is not true that only university holds the key to a future career," she said.
"TAFE must be returned to a position of value, seen as a respected and much needed partner in the post-secondary education (sector) and not treated as a lesser education stream."
Ms Thomson also told the committee the university sector wasn't well equipped to help students through changing workplace needs.
Australia no longer has access to high-level strategic advice on economic forecasting like the now defunct Australian Workplace Productivity Agency had provided, he said.
Share
