Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Lincoln to remain independent

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Lincoln University has welcomed the decision by Education Minister Chris Hipkins to shelve the proposal for a formal partnership with Canterbury University.
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The decision provides certainty for Lincoln’s future direction, allowing it to collaborate with Canterbury and other organisations while enjoying the benefits of independence, acting vice-chancellor Bruce McKenzie said.

“Lincoln’s own unique culture, identity and brand are significant strengths as it continues to deliver leading-edge teaching and research.

“We see the minister’s decision as a vote of confidence in Lincoln and a major commitment from the Government to the land-based sectors.

“I feel extraordinarily positive about our future,” McKenzie said.

Hipkins told both universities last week he will not endorse the proposal because the costs outweigh the benefits.

Several changes since the proposal was submitted influenced his decision.

They included Lincoln’s financial position being helped by a $45 million 2010-11 earthquake insurance settlement in May, effectively removing the need for a formal partnership with Canterbury.

The decision earlier this year to scrap long-held plans for a $206m joint research facility at Lincoln University after partner AgResearch pulled out in favour of building its own facility was also a significant factor. 

The sale of part of a farm and several houses leased to staff further improved Lincoln’s balance sheet.

Both universities said they intend to continue achieving the benefits proposed through collaboration and co-operation.

McKenzie said the working group formed to develop joint programmes will continue its work and both universities are confident that will position New Zealand’s land-based sector to make the greatest possible contribution to a sustainable economy.

Existing collaborative projects between Lincoln and Canterbury include the Children’s University Canterbury Partnership, a proposed postgraduate school and new joint qualifications.

“To support our strategy we are also seeking partnerships with a wide range of other organisations, including Crown research institutes, universities and the private sector,” McKenzie said.

The proposed formal partnership came after the Government approached Lincoln last year to discuss achieving faster growth to meet the goals set out in the 2017 Transformation Report.

Following those discussions, Lincoln and Canterbury submitted a proposal in December outlining a partnership agreement that offered a range of benefits for students, research and industry with the universities requesting Crown fundin.

McKenzie said Lincoln is now on a very sound financial footing with enrollments for 2020 looking very strong.

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