A parliamentary committee has released an interim report into the operations of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and the University of Wollongong (UOW): with both institutions painted in a poor light.

The NSW parliamentary inquiry into the university sector has called for a ministerial report into the University of Wollongong’s commercial activities, including the way its overseas campuses are run.

The report found that its spending frenzy abroad ran counter to its legislative remit to provide education opportunities to the people of the Illawarra region and South Coast.

UTS was also criticised for its generous budget for consultants, which contrasted to its job-cutting agenda. The committee, chaired by Labr MP Sarah Kaine (pictured), criticised UTS for spending $1.5 million on an executive leadership coach at the same time it was firing staff. Dr Kaine is a former academic at UTS.

“The report says what the CPSU NSW has been saying for years,” said Assistant Geneal Secretary Troy Wright. “Our universities have their priorities wrong and are shelling out too much for outsourcing and consultants.”