Media Release
27July 2005
For Immediate Use
AUSA cautiously optimistic about funding
The Auckland University Students Association (AUSA) cautiously welcomed the Government’s announcement of a new funding
system for the tertiary sector, unveiled by Tertiary Education Minister Dr Michael Cullen today.
“AUSA views the new system as a step in the right direction for the sector”, said AUSA President Dan Bidois. “Under the
current “Bums on Seats” system, institutions at all levels are compelled to mass produce graduates with qualifications
of dubious quality to survive. We welcome the move away from that system, which focuses more on quality teaching and
learning outcomes for students at all levels of the sector”, he said.
Mr Bidois added that the new “Distinctive Contributions” component of funding system would better allow the Government
to recognise and fund the unique roles that the universities, technical institutes, wąnanga and industry training
organisations (ITOs) play in shaping the graduates of tomorrow. “We are optimistic that the Distinctive Contributions
funding component will better allow Auckland University to enhance the excellent research and research informed teaching
for which it is renowned”, he said.
AUSA Education Vice President Xavier Goldie added that AUSA was concerned that the new system failed to address the more
fundamental problems of chronic sector under-funding. “We are worried that, while a positive start, the new funding
system will not address the root problem of universities being under-funded,” he said. “The University of Auckland is
under constant pressure to cut costs and increase revenue to make up for a government funding short fall, resulting in
higher fees and potentially lower quality degrees. We hope that the Tertiary Education Minister takes this opportunity
to address those far more fundamental problems to ensure that his desired outcome of a higher quality tertiary education
sector is achieved.
ENDS