Curtin University of Technology and Murdoch University have decided not to proceed with the proposed merger of the two institutions due to doubts about the impact of such a complex process.
The planned merger of Curtin and Murdoch universities highlights the major changes facing Western Australia's higher education sector. WA Business News convened a boardroom forum to discuss the current issues and future outlook for the state's public universities.
Curtin University's council and Murdoch University's senate have been forced to defer meetings scheduled for this week to make an official decision on their merger because of delays with a merger feasibility report.
Australia's universities are highly competitive, especially in their pursuit of research dollars, yet some of the best research occurs when they collaborate.