The study of higher education policy in remote rural areas of Australia——what can China learn

Abstract

“National Regional, Rural and Remote Tertiary Education Strategy Final Report” is a national strategic policy aimed at promoting higher education development and personal education welfare of Australians in regional, remote and rural areas (RRR areas). The strategy clarifies the disadvantages of higher education in RRR areas, including fewer educational opportunities, less students' aspirations and slow regional development. It proposes specific measures in 7 areas like support for learning opportunities, financial subsidies and emotional support. This paper uses literature review and adopts “Four Stages of Policy Borrowing in Education” theory as theoretical framework to discuss policy transfer possibility. This paper focuses on the theoretical inspiration level. In stage 1, it discusses the policy background and similar education context in two countries, to clarify the “cross-national attraction” and provides comparative value for higher education of ethnic minorities and rural areas in China. In stage 2, the paper discusses the “decision” and “implementation” of the policy. In stage 3, it focuses on “internalization”, it provides new ideas for development and puts forward four suggestions for improving the higher education of ethnic minorities in remote areas in China, including policy position, policy system innovation, course design and integration.