The University of Wollongong (UOW) recently became the first university to create a degree in Western Civilisation despite court action to stop it.
The Ramsay Centre is offering $50m to universities to run a degree in Western Civilisation. The undergraduate degree, as set out in the Ramsay Centre Board's charter, aims “to advance education by promoting studies and discussion associated with the establishment and development of western civilisation”.
In April, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) threatened legal action over the University’s decision to fast-track approval of the degree, which has been accused of ““embodying a kind of academic racism” by some academics.
However, at its meeting on 21 June 2019, the UOW Council gave its seal of approval to the contentious degree and associated double degree programs, which are due to commence in 2020.
“By approving the degree the Council has acted in the best interests of the University,” UOW Chancellor, Jillian Broadbent AC, said.
“It will enable progress to continue despite any continuing legal challenge to the Vice-Chancellor’s earlier approval decision.”
Broadbent said the Council remains “prepared to continue with its legal defence of the Vice-Chancellor’s exercise of his delegated authority if required”, but hopes that will not be necessary given the changed circumstances.
The University has now invited the NTEU to withdraw its challenge of the Vice-Chancellor’s decision to approve the degree.
“Following this decision our way forward is clear. I encourage the whole university community to unite in a shared commitment to our legislative objectives of encouraging ‘the dissemination, advancement, development and application of knowledge informed by free inquiry’ and ‘the provision of courses of study … across a range of fields’,” the Chancellor said.