The South Australian Business Chamber CEO Andrew Kay welcomes last night’s announcement of a signed cooperation statement to explore the amalgamation of University of South Australia and University of Adelaide to form Adelaide University.
The South Australian Business Chamber’s September 2020 9‑point plan to skyrocket SA and August 2021 Charter22 – For a more prosperous South Australia encouraged the government to investigate options to merge local universities.
“The Premier is now delivering on his October 2020 policy promise that we advocated for, backing the merger in the first term of a Labor government.”, said Mr Kay.
“We recognise world competition and ongoing improvement in the efficiency and productivity of higher education is essential”.
The South Australian Business Chamber Senior Policy Adviser Karen van Gorp said “There will be benefits to the ranking of the new university from a merger, in turn attracting the best research. This will encourage the sort of innovation South Australia, and South Australian businesses, will benefit from.”
“We have recognised the potential benefits of a merger of some sort for years. There have been so many discussions, but nothing has ever been achieved”.
The South Australian Business Chamber understands taxpayers will make a significant financial contribution to establishing the university but anticipates it will pay dividends for our state.
“We would like to see what investment will be contributed by the taxpayer. We expect the investment will create significant efficiencies, lead to a large increase in student numbers both domestic and international, and provide positive research and commercialisation outcomes”, said Mr Kay.
The South Australian Business Chamber looks forward to more positive announcements on the merger and is encouraged by the proposed commencement of operation in January 2026.
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Anthony Caldwell — Manager — Marketing, Media, Communications
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anthony.caldwell@business-sa.com
