A transformation board chaired by Sir Maarten Wevers has begun consulting people with an interest in the university.
It would then suggest to the Lincoln University Council long-term options and a strategic direction for the tertiary institution.
It was up to the council to adopt or reject its suggestions.
Refreshing Lincoln aimed to reverse successive years of financial issues and a stagnant student role.
Ideas from the transformation board were designed to provide a long-term vision.
Wevers said the board would seek thoughts and ideas from university staff, students, alumni and people with an interest in Lincoln or who employed university graduates and researchers.
While not having any preconceptions about the outcome, Wevers believed Lincoln had underperformed but had untapped potential that could make it internationally recognised for education and research in the land-based and primary sector.
“My personal view is that it should be recognised internationally as one of the top places to go and study land-based issues and agriculture or the primary sector.”
Lincoln had a fundamental role underpinning and helping the economic drivers of NZ’s economy through the courses offered, its research and by cementing new partnerships with outside entities.
While everything was up for discussion, part of the board’s role was to clarify and provide a focus for what the university might choose to do and how to get there.
“Our advice to the council will be more strategic in nature.”
The board consisted of two Tertiary Education Commission members, the university’s chancellor and vice chancellor and four others with no university links.
The members were Maury Leyland, Miriana Stephens, Anake Goodall, Tim Fowler, Nigel Gould, Steve Smith and Professor Robin Pollard.
Three international panel members would also contribute. They were Dr Aalt Dijkhuizen, Netherlands, Professor Gai Murphy, United Kingdom, and Robert Cochrane, Indonesia.
In addition, the board had met outgoing chancellor Tony Hall, university staff, the academic board and the Productivity Commission, which recently released a report on tertiary education.
The board would report to the council in October.
