What’s the Drama About?
A Masters student at Macquarie University has blown the whistle on being forced to complete two mandatory modules before accessing her online course portal.
And get this – she’s already paid for her Creative Writing degree!
What Were These Mysterious Modules?
The university demanded students complete:
- An Aboriginal cultural awareness training (Manawari)
- A UN Sustainability Goals module
Time cost? A whopping 1.5 hours of your life!
“Is This Even Fair?”
The frustrated student reached out to 2GB’s Ben Fordham, asking the million-dollar question: “I’m the one paying for the degree. Can they really withhold the course from me?”
Expert Weighs In: “This is Groupthink”
John Ruddick, NSW Upper House Libertarian Member, didn’t hold back. He claims universities are pushing “groupthink” instead of promoting diverse opinions. The kicker?
Students must score a perfect 100% to pass these modules!
The Bigger Picture: Young People Are “Sick of It”
According to Ruddick, there’s a global trend:
Under-30s are moving politically right
Young people are rebelling against “forced” ideologies
Similar patterns seen in Germany, Canada, and beyond
What’s Next?
With growing pushback against mandatory cultural training in universities, this story highlights a bigger debate about academic freedom and required coursework in Australian higher education.
What do you think? Should universities require these modules? Let us know in the comments!