4. Hon BRIAN DONNELLY (NZ First) Link to this
to the Minister for Tertiary Education
Is there a need within the tertiary institutional framework for a category of a dual-purpose institution which would simultaneously have the characteristics of a polytechnic and a university and which focuses upon applied research?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister for Tertiary Education) Link to this
The issue is one worthy of serious consideration. I therefore look forward to the member’s bill proceeding to the select committee to enable that to happen.
Hon Brian Donnelly Link to this
Can the Minister confirm that the United Kingdom Leitch report on increasing national productivity found that the greatest productivity gains were to be made by increased participation in levels 4 to 7 certificate and diploma, and trade and vocational, programmes?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
The Leitch report did state that when considering how to increase productivity gains, that level of certificate and other activity was most important. But the report itself did not refer to any structural change to the tertiary system, and the UK does not have a university of technology category.
Hon Brian Donnelly Link to this
Does the Minister agree that, under current legislation, if a non-university degree-conferring tertiary institution wishes to gain parity of esteem with universities for its graduate and post-graduate qualifications, it is forced to reduce the proportion of sub-degree programmes, which explains, perhaps, the unsatisfactory dearth of trade and vocational training courses from the North Shore to Wellsford?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I think that is a very good point. I think that what we should hope to achieve through the tertiary reform process is greater identification of the expertise and specific characteristics of institutions, so that they can achieve excellence within those boundaries, rather than our trying to pretend they are all like universities in order for them to be regarded as providing excellence. I think that is one of the things that has gone wrong with the tertiary education system in the last 20 years.