University of Adelaide VC delivers Bradley Oration
From left: Professor Mark Scott, Kirsten Andrews, Emeritus Professor Bruce King and Professor Peter H酶j AC
Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide Professor Peter H酶j AC this week delivered the second Bradley Oration, warning that widening economic inequality could diminish the quality of our democracy. He further stated that enhanced educational attainment amongst the disadvantaged is a potent lever to reduce income disparities over the long term, particularly if combined with economic growth fuelled by strong R&D implemented for societal benefit. 聽
The Bradley Oration honours the late Professor Denise Bradley AC, and the 2023 address is the second of its kind, following the聽inaugural Bradley Oration聽delivered last year by Education Minister Jason Clare. 聽
Vice-Chancellors and higher education leaders from across Australia gathered at the University of Sydney to honour Professor Bradley and attend the Oration. An alumna of the University of Sydney (B Arts in 1962 and Honoris Causa in 2017), Professor Bradley led the 2008 higher education review that gave rise to Australia鈥檚 demand-driven funding system and the establishment of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). She also served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Australia from 1996 to 2007.聽聽
The Bradley Oration acknowledges her significant contribution to the higher education sector. Kirsten Andrews, the University of Sydney's Vice-President, External Engagement and master of ceremonies thanked Professor Bradley鈥檚 family for attending the event before inviting Professor Bradley鈥檚 husband Professor Bruce King to give an introductory address.
Ms Andrews said: 鈥淢ay this oration serve as a reminder that Denise鈥檚 legacy is treasured in the higher education community; we will never forget the work that Denise did, thank you for joining us to celebrate her.鈥� 聽
Her words were echoed by Professor King who reflected on the significant reform his late wife achieved in restructuring South Australian education 鈥� a process that continues today.
鈥淒enise鈥檚 career trajectory from librarianship lecturer to vice-chancellor coincided with government initiatives to restructure the higher education system in Australia,鈥� he said.
Professor King examined his late wife鈥檚 significant role in reshaping the South Australian higher education and her decisions that helped set the university up for the success it enjoys today 鈥� decisions that he said stemmed from a 鈥渟hared understanding that sometimes new institutions have to do things in different ways as they struggle to find their feet.鈥�
鈥淎uthority and responsibility suited Denise,鈥� he said.聽
鈥淒enise had a clear view of leadership involving shaping a vision for an institution through widespread consultation.鈥�
A long-time friend of Professor Bradley, Professor H酶j began his oration acknowledging her legacy as 鈥渁n inspirational and defining leader in Australian Higher Education.鈥�
Describing Professor Bradley as someone with 鈥渟taggering intellect鈥� who was 鈥渇erociously honest鈥� Professor H酶j said Professor Bradley鈥檚 ambition for Australia to create a stronger society was embodied 15 years ago, in the 2008 (Bradley) Review of Australian Higher Education which signalled vital reform for the sector.
But 15 years on this ambition has taken on 鈥渆ven greater urgency in a world that seems more fractured, and in some places less civil, just, and democratic鈥�, he said.聽
鈥淲e are privileged to live in a strong democracy but I see some worrying signs in traditionally well-functioning democracies that should not be ignored and should be countered where possible.鈥�
Noting that education is often the defining difference when it comes to wealth disparity, Professor H酶j emphasised Professor Bradley鈥檚 enduring view that universities are fundamental to the enduring value of an educated workforce underpinned by outstanding research, informed by societal needs, and put to use for societal benefit.
鈥淪o, some 15 years after its release, how can we continue to pursue the implicit objectives Denise Bradley wished for Australia to achieve?鈥� he asked.
鈥淔irstly, we should acknowledge that a huge amount has been achieved already as pointed out by Minister Clare in the first Bradley Oration last year. 聽
鈥淗owever, it is also clear that a key objective relating to low-SES participation in higher education has yet to be met.鈥�
As the first in his family to get a Year 12 education, Professor H酶j, acknowledged Professor聽聽of the University of South Australia as a fellow 鈥榝irst in family鈥� graduate.
鈥淒avid, like me is also a first in family graduate and is also a person who has benefitted enormously from access to higher education,鈥� he said.
There is a moral imperative to address the injustice that flows from individual children being born into different circumstances and an enormous collective benefit to all citizens in doing so.
鈥淲e agree on most things and when it comes to getting springs in our steps 鈥� nothing beats seeing young people graduate from our institutions. 聽
鈥淚t is especially uplifting when we know many of them 鈥� like us 鈥� are the first in family to be given what we consider a life-changing asset 鈥� a post-school education.鈥�
Professor H酶j said they also shared an ambition to amalgamate The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia into the new Adelaide University which he said is committed to increasing skilled employment for young Australians, diversifying student cohorts, and driving innovation and economic growth in South Australia.
Concluding his address, Professor H酶j called for Australia to deliver on the ambitions set out in the Bradley Review, particularly as it relates to low-SES participation in higher education.
鈥淭here is a moral imperative to address the injustice that flows from individual children being born into different circumstances and an enormous collective benefit to all citizens in doing so,鈥� he said.
鈥淭he choice is ours. If we make it, we may be able to hand the society we have on loan from our children back in as good, and hopefully better, shape than we received it. That would not only be the right thing to do but also allow us to - in Denise Bradley鈥檚 words - maintain our high standard of living, underpinned by a robust democracy and a civil and just society聽 - and who knows 鈥� even make an advance on that laudable goal. I am pretty certain Denise would not have objected to that ambition.鈥�
The University of Sydney鈥檚 Vice-Chancellor and President,聽Professor Mark Scott, gave the vote of thanks to Professor H酶j and the Bradley Family, and recognised Ms Andrews鈥檚 role in creating the Oration as a significant event on the University鈥檚 calendar.
He said the lecture came at a pivotal time for the higher education sector in Australia as the University Accord finalises its process.
鈥淚t was interesting hearing Peter talking about trust, and the correlation between high levels of trust in community and levels of democracy and the perception of fairness,鈥� he said.
鈥淏ecause I think one of the really interesting challenges that we face as a higher education sector is how trusted are we? And how strongly will we be able to advocate for the investment that we need to do the work that we do?鈥�
Professor Scott said Professor H酶j鈥檚 call to the community to ensure that university doors are open to all is central to the trust that the higher education sector needs to inspire.
鈥淚 think we'd all agree with the principle that talent is equally distributed but that in our society, that opportunity is an option. And that education is the most powerful tool that's been discovered to overcome social disadvantage.鈥�
