No institutions play a bigger collective part in the socio-economic future-proofing of a country than its universities. That’s where its next big thinkers and leaders will find their voices and forge their values. That’s where its scientific breakthroughs and technological innovation will be incubated. And with more universities per capita than almost any other western country, and a handful of them perennial presences in the top 50 of the QS World University Rankings, no one could accuse Australians of undervaluing tertiary education.