Submission to the House Standing Committee on Education inquiry into Building Asia Capability in Australia
The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the House Standing Committee on Education inquiry into Building Asia Capability in Australia.
A strong and sustained Asia capability is fundamental to Australia’s national interests. It underpins social inclusion and cohesion and supports Australia’s economic, cultural, political, and security relationships with our nearest and most dynamic region. Building this capability requires a broad base of knowledge, research, and teaching in Asian languages, societies, and cultures.
From languages and history to international relations and political science, the social sciences make a distinct contribution to the knowledge and expertise needed for a deep and nuanced understanding of Asian-region dynamics and Australia’s strategic position and opportunities to strengthen ties.
We make nine recommendations to help strengthen our existing capabilities and overcome the structural, policy, and funding barriers that prevent us from meeting our full potential:
-
- Create incentives to encourage tertiary students with Asian language skills into Initial Teacher Education.
- Support system-level coordination to build Asia literacy in schools, with a focus on long-term investment in teacher capability and evidence-based teaching and learning resources.
- Protect long-term funding for Asian languages and social and cultural studies in higher education, even when enrolments are low, recognising their strategic importance.
- Request that the Australian Tertiary Education Commission examine Asia capability development within the higher education sector, with particular attention to ensuring consistent national delivery and reversing fee structures that undermine enrolments and career pathways.
- Encourage undergraduate programs that combine a primary degree with targeted study of an Asian language and culture, including a period of study in the relevant country.
- Enhance support for in-person study via the New Colombo Plan by ensuring flexibility of stay duration and inclusion of costs for university staff to travel and facilitate in-country learning.
- Consider regular and systematic collection of data by the Department of Education in collaboration with States and Territories on language, social and cultural studies to identify Asia capability strengths and gaps.
- Promote Asia-focused research and collaboration between Australia and Asia as a national priority, including the number and quantum of projects funded by Australian Research Council and other grant schemes.
- Recognise Asian diaspora communities as key partners in building Australia’s Asia capability through a coordinated national framework for diaspora engagement.
Click on ‘download’ to read the submission in full.
