The Innovative Research Universities (IRU) applauds the Government’s decision to scrap changes to tax deductions for self-education expenses. These changes, which would have limited self- education expenses deductions to $2000, would have been a significant disincentive to professionals seeking to build on their knowledge and skills.

Professional education does not end at graduation. Extensive ongoing education is necessary for skills and knowledge to maintain pace with changing practice and to retain accreditation.

“Governments should encourage Australians to further their education. The self-education deduction is one element in doing so. To cap it sends the wrong message,” said Professor Barney Glover, Vice-Chancellor of Charles Darwin University and IRU Chair, from Malaysia.

“We now wait on the Government’s decisions concerning the efficiency dividend and the transformation of student scholarships into loans, both of which require legislation this year if they are to be implemented from 2014.”

Professor Glover is leading the IRU delegation pursuing research linkages and student mobility opportunities with Malaysia’s universities. The IRU is hosting with the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia a forum on Teaching and Learning in the Digital Era: The Challenge Ahead.