Wednesday, 04 September 2019 07:55

Uni merger idea dead

Written by 
Education Minister Chris Hipkins. Education Minister Chris Hipkins.

Any suggestion of a merger between Lincoln University and the University of Canterbury is now dead in the water following the Minister of Education’s rejection of a partnership proposal by the two institutions.

The proposal, for less than a full merger, envisaged a merged governance body and some joint management systems with Lincoln maintaining its own name. 

But it appears that neither institution particularly wanted it to go ahead.

In a letter to the universities last month, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said the cost of the proposal outweighed its potential benefit.

“It has also become apparent that neither Canterbury nor Lincoln fully supports the proposal submitted,” he said.

In a joint statement, the universities welcomed the minister’s decision and said they would benefit as proposed by working together.

“Current examples include the Children’s University Canterbury Partnership, joint academic programmes and discussions on postgraduate collaboration.”

A joint working group now set up will better position New Zealand’s land based sector to contribute to a sustainable economy and environmental sustainability via world class teaching and research, they said. – Nigel Malthus

More like this

Famous last words

OPINION: With Winston Peters playing politics with the PM's Indian FTA, all eyes will be on Labour who have the casting vote.

Rural bias?

OPINION: After years of ever-worsening results from our education system, the startling results from a maths acceleration programme stood out like a dog’s proverbials – the trial producing gains of one full year in just 12-weeks.

Featured

2026 fresh produce trends shaping Kiwi food culture

According to the latest Fresh Produce Trend Report from United Fresh, 2026 will be a year where fruit and vegetables are shaped by cost pressures, rapid digital adoption, and a renewed focus on wellbeing at home.

Editorial: Having a rural voice

OPINION: The past few weeks have been tough on farms across the North Island: floods and storms have caused damage and disruption to families and businesses.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Battle for milk

OPINION: Fonterra may be on the verge of selling its consumer business in New Zealand, but the co-operative is not…

Birth woes

OPINION: What does the birth rate in China have to do with stock trading? Just ask a2 Milk Company.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter