Linda Burney Joins UTS Board Amid Educational Restructuring

Linda Burney, a Wiradjuri woman and former federal parliament member, has been appointed to the board of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). This marks her first public role since resigning from politics, a decision she attributes to a desire to mentor future generations rather than the recent defeat of the voice to parliament referendum. Burney expressed her commitment to addressing inequities in higher education, a cause she has championed since her early career as a public school teacher in Sydney's western suburbs during the 1970s and 80s.

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Burney's educational philosophy emphasizes the importance of a strong Aboriginal perspective in curricula, particularly in fields like nursing and teaching. She aims to ensure that First Nations students achieve equity and parity in educational opportunities. UTS has set ambitious targets to increase Indigenous employment to 3% of its full-time equivalent (FTE) staff by 2026 and to boost Indigenous student participation to 700 by 2030. However, current statistics reveal that only 2% of UTS's FTE staff are Indigenous, and the Indigenous student cohort stands at 406, or 1.09%.

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Burney's appointment comes at a time of significant restructuring at UTS, which has faced backlash over plans to cut 121 full-time roles as part of an academic change initiative. The university's management has stated that all redundancies will be voluntary, but initial proposals indicated that up to 400 positions could be affected. This restructuring has drawn criticism from the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), which has raised concerns about the impact on academic integrity and staffing levels.

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Steve Whan, the New South Wales Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education, highlighted Burney's extensive experience in promoting Indigenous education as a valuable asset for the university council. He noted that universities are currently navigating a "critical time" due to financial pressures, necessitating innovative governance and leadership.

The Guardian

Whan emphasized the importance of diversifying the backgrounds of board members, stating, “We want to make sure that they are also looking at the educational side and the equity side.” This sentiment reflects a broader concern regarding the governance of universities, which has become a national focus amid ongoing inquiries into the sector's challenges.

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The restructuring at UTS has faced significant opposition from various stakeholders, including the NTEU, which has criticized the university's approach to managing its workforce and course offerings. The union's concerns underscore the tension between financial sustainability and maintaining educational quality.

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• “I still remember the students I had when I was young. I think I learned more from the students than they learned from me,” — Linda Burney, Board Member, UTS

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• “cornerstone of social justice” — Linda Burney, reflecting on her inaugural speech in NSW parliament.

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• “There’s been quite a lot of denigrating of universities from each end of the spectrum at the moment.” — Steve Whan, NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education.

The Guardian

Burney's new role at UTS represents a significant opportunity to influence Indigenous education and address systemic inequities, even as the university grapples with the implications of its restructuring efforts.

The Guardian