11 October 2001 Media Statement
Tertiary change fund details announced
The newly-established $35 million Tertiary Education Strategic Change Fund gives public tertiary institutions the
ability to make changes which respond to the Tertiary Education Strategy coming into place next year, says Associate
Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey.
A new tertiary education funding and regulatory environment is being introduced in 2003 to reshape New Zealand’s
tertiary education system. A Tertiary Education Strategy will be in place from next year and will place new demands on
tertiary education providers. Steve Maharey said he has now written to tertiary institutions inviting applications for a
share of the $35m one-off Fund and detailing the criteria that will be used to assess them.
“The need to reorient our tertiary education system to meet New Zealand’s changing economic and social needs is urgent.
The Fund offers an opportunity for institutions to respond to these challenges.
“In order to receive funding, institutions will be required to demonstrate how the changes they want to make enable them
to:
- contribute to New Zealand’s social, environmental and economic development;
- respond to the challenges of a new strategically-focused tertiary education sector; and,
- build on their current position.
Applications will also need to describe achievable and measurable success criteria and be supported by a clear business
plan.
“Total funding worth 34.7m (comprising $18.1m in operating expenditure and $16.6m for capital expenditure) will be
divided proportionally amongst successful applicants on the basis of their student roll.
“The Fund has been extremely well received by the tertiary sector with Vice-Chancellor’s Committee Chair James McWha
describing it as a ‘very, very good outcome’,” Steve Maharey said.
ENDS
Purpose of the Fund
The Tertiary Education Strategic Change Fund will support initiatives taken by tertiary education institutions,
individually or collectively, to adapt during the establishment of the Tertiary Education Commission and ahead of the
implementation of the new funding and regulatory system. The fund will enable institutions to determine how they intend
to operate within the new strategically-focused tertiary education sector and to define the unique contribution they
wish to make within that environment.
Activities that will be funded
Institutions will be encouraged to consider what tools they require to actively participate in the sector and what areas
of their operation require improvement so that they are positioned to make a positive contribution to the tertiary
education strategy. This will include clearly identifying their strengths and weaknesses, and assessing whether their
strategic and business planning is sound.
The Fund is designed primarily for actions and improvements with measurable outputs. The following list has been
provided to institutions as a guide for the types of activities that are likely to be funded:
- Operating expenditure
- Collaboration and Innovation – undertaking collaborative activities within the tertiary sector and to promote
innovative ideas that may not have been fully developed to date, e.g. joint ventures between institutions, collaborative
arrangements which contribute to the tertiary education strategy; shared services reviews; activities that enhance
educational outcomes;
- Forward Planning –producing a strategic plan to analyse regional needs; developing short and long-term financial
plans; identifying strengths and weaknesses; developing a charter and profile;
- Programme Development – assessment of programmes in line with the strategic direction of the institution; development
of programmes to meet regional needs; exiting programmes which have limited demand that do not fit within the tertiary
education strategy;
- Increasing Capability – increasing the skills and knowledge of members of Councils and senior management; governance
training; increased support for Chief Executives/Chief Financial Officers.
- Capital
Long term capital works planning and activities. Will assist with upgrading of facilities to comply with legislation,
e-learning initiatives or other capital asset development activities.
Applications close with the Ministry of Education on 30 November 2001. Funding is available for distribution from 1 July
2002. Further information about the Fund is available on the Ministry of Education website at
www.minedu.govt.nz/web/document/document_page.cfm?id=6251