Universities New Zealand - Media release
Universities acknowledge funding increase
University Vice-Chancellors acknowledge the 1.6% increase in tuition subsidies announced today and hope this Government
will invest further in the university sector in coming years to ensure it can deliver on its policies to build a
resilient and adaptable workforce.
“This starts to address the real funding pressures being faced by the sector, but there is still a long way to go and we
look forward to the Government’s next steps in this space,” says Universities New Zealand executive director Chris
Whelan.
“To ensure that the Government can deliver on its policies for building a resilient and adaptable workforce, it must
continue to invest in maintaining the quality of the education provided to students, not just attempt to lower the cost
to them.
“Universities will struggle to provide young New Zealanders access to a world-class university education. Despite the
hard work and commitment of university staff, continued underfunding makes it harder for New Zealand’s universities to
maintain their international rankings. They will struggle to develop innovative research that benefits all New
Zealanders. And it will be more difficult to attract international students to New Zealand universities—students who
currently bring $1 billion to the economy annually.
“Government should be investing more in the development of skills and knowledge to build an innovative, internationally
competitive, knowledge-based economy.”
/ends