Nous Group has explained the money and decision-making behind advice given to Australian National University, denying it uses a "cookie-cutter" approach.

Nous Group executives appeared before a Senate committee into university governance on November 12.

Chief executive Tim Orton said the consultancy group did $2 million worth of work for Australian National University between 2024 and the start of 2025.

In previous years, the university had spent $190 million on different consultants , a decision which was criticised after job cuts were accounced.

Mr Orton said Nous was first asked by ANU's former vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell to complete a $50,000 analysis about strategic drives of Australian universities.

They had no contact with Professor Bell prior to her appointment as vice-ch

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