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

Kaikōura Families Get School Run Lifeline After Storm

Kaikōura families affected by July's severe storm have found a practical solution to a problem that's kept some children away from regular schooling for weeks: a washed-out section of Inland Kaikōura Road, which has stopped the local school bus from running its usual route.

Lynnette Hudson Named 2026 NZ Winegrowers Fellow

Lynnette Hudson's 30-year obsession with Pinot Noir was sparked working vintage in Burgundy, seeing how subtle changes in terroir were expressed in the glass. It was, she says, "an elightening moment in every way".

Featured

Arable ROI Crisis: Why Canterbury Farmers Are Moving On

Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers arable chair, Bevan Lill, said Beef + Lamb NZ data indicated that for the last six years, the average arable return on investment was about 0.8% while inflation ran about 4% - so the average arable farm was going backwards at about 3% a year.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter