9. COLIN KING (National—Kaikōura) Link to this
to the Minister for Tertiary Education
What benefits will be realised from the merger between Lincoln University and Telford Polytechnic?
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Tertiary Education) Link to this
Students will benefit from the creation of one larger institution with a stronger base to support education and research in the land-based sector. Having a specialist research and teaching university, combining the best of Lincoln University and Telford Rural Polytechnic, will improve the speed, reach, and effectiveness of knowledge transfer as we continue to build up our skills base to support the export-led recovery.
Effective from 1 January next year, the merged entity will provide quality land-based training for around 3,600 full-time domestic students. Lincoln University will retain Telford Rural Polytechnic’s sub-degree courses but also provide students at the southern campus with access to higher-level study, especially in agriculture and agricultural science. With the combined scale, the institution will be more efficient and more effective, bringing better results for students and for taxpayers who fund the tertiary education system.