A review of engineering education has recently been completed here, amid some controversy. For some it is too philosophical, for others it is not philosophical, enough. For some it is too prescriptive, others worry about a lack of quantitative targets. And it is not clear how it will be carried forward. But by the ICEE '97 conference in August we should have a clearer idea.

At the same time, our tertiary education system has been in a state of flux for some years. Government funding has tightened. Universities are reorganizing themselves, changing their faculty structure. The culture appears to be becoming more managerialist rather than collegial. And recently we have had a change of Federal government, and it will soon institute a review of the whole university system.

Students expectations and preferences are changing. Some traditional engineering courses are losing appeal, so others (such as mechatronics, environmental, software) are being created to maintain the attraction of engineering. Traditional courses are being redesigned in some universities too.

And what will be the impact of the "virtual university?" Will our country of 18 million be overwhelmed by internet offerings from the USA? How many of our traditional universities will survive?

Yet among all this, faculty members still front up to classes and pass on the tradition. Some in the traditional way. Others with innovation. Most in a spirit of commitment to university culture. But how will this culture change in the face of increasing mananagerialism? Many wonder how teaching will be recognized in the brave new future. Will it become more important or less? How should we best spend our time if we are to thrive in the new system? Is pursuing innovation in teaching a mug's game practiced by those who cannot stop themselves from doing it (at the expense of research), or will it become increasingly recognized in a future where undergraduates are valued customers?

My paper would provide the personal and direct view of an insider who has seen developments here over 19 years. I hope others would find it an interesting comparison with their own experience. But most of all I hope it would generate discussion so that we could find out similarities and differences among other systems throughout the world.

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