New Frontiers for The New Australian Institute of Music

Universities, both public and private, in Australia (firmly encouraged by higher education authorities) are currently concerned with the mind-set, mechanisms, and practices that are necessary for universities to reinvent and reengineer themselves in order to become successful, surplus-making organizations. The Australian Institute of Music is no exception. Given the context of current economic pressures, this surplus-making exercise is fundamental to future growth, quality provision, and student/staff morale. Important matters such as changing mind-set from a “scarcity” to “abundance” mentality; encouraging new venture units (“skunk works”) within elements; changing management style at all levels to facilitate entrepreneurial activities; effectively using outsourcing for teaching and administrative purposes; developing strategic alliances and networks; and developing the notion of thinking globally even though working locally; and requiring exploration.