Pioneering leader CQU returns for PhD success
CQUniversity’s Sydney graduation marked a significant milestone for Dr Steven Holliday as he accepted his doctorate in front of former colleagues, students and the broader university community.
Dr Holliday served as CQUniversity Sydney Campus’ first Associate Vice-Chancellor from 2014-2016.
Previously, the Sydney campus had been managed in partnership with C-Management Services (CMS) and under the leadership of Head of Campus positions.
Dr Holliday said his journey with CQUniversity Sydney first began in 2003 while still under managed by CMS when he joined as Deputy Director of Finance.
“I have a background in finance (CPA) and I was the business manager of a private school for more than six years before entering the tertiary sector,” he explained.
“After CQU took ownership of CMS in 2013, I was fortunate to be offered opportunities to continue in senior roles and advance my career before becoming Associate Vice-Chancellor for New South Wales for three years.”
He said that his time at CQU only enhanced his passion for the tertiary sector, providing a foundation for his academic and research pursuits.
“My PhD thesis was a study on Performance Based Funding for higher education in Australia under the supervision of Associate Professor Ergun Gide and Associate Professor Julie Fleming,” he said.
“Performance-based funding is intended to ensure universities focus sufficient attention on the quality of their teaching, and student support to ultimately achieve the best possible graduate outcomes.
“My study considered the views of students and what they believed should be measured and how it could be measured fairly.”
He said the findings from this innovative study has the potential to significantly influence future policy decisions with student perspectives helping to shape effective and equitable funding models.
“There had been no identified studies which looked at the student ‘voice’ on Performance Based Funding. I found that the students provided some fantastic insights into this topic.
“Performance Based Funding can be an effective tool for improving higher education though incentive funding, if it is structured well and applied fairly.
“Students are a major stakeholder and they have provided valuable feedback as to their expectations from such a funding model.
“Students tended to support performance funding on academic measures, but they also strongly supported equity measures for students from disadvantaged or under-represented groups. They also believed that teaching innovation should be measured and rewarded.”
Dr Holliday said his PhD experience has only reinforced my belief in the importance of research and hopes to continue making a meaningful impact with his new qualification.
“I will be looking to expand my current role to include a research component,” Dr Holliday said.
“I believe research is important and can make a difference to our communities, particularly for evidence-based decision making.”
