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The change required to achieve this strategy

A key aspect of this strategy is to encourage and reward excellent research in the tertiary education sector, supported by improved accountability and performance reporting. The Performance-Based Research Fund is a key policy for achieving this.

Achieving this strategy requires TEOs involved with research to develop a more concentrated research effort based on networks of specialisation and a strong focus on quality, relevance to end-users and uptake of new knowledge.

This strategy also addresses support for research students and emerging researchers, particularly Māori and Pasifika researchers.

While it is expected that there will be greater engagement with end-users and improved knowledge uptake, the continued contribution of the tertiary education sector to basic and long-term research will be essential.

Progress to 2003/04

The PBRF was successfully implemented in 2003 and funding will shift over time to payment on the basis of the PBRF quality evaluation.

The PRBF quality evaluation results show that around half of the researchers that produced sufficient quality and quantity of work over the last six years to be assessed (that is rated ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘C’) were of national or international quality and reputation. It also showed that sciences, social sciences, humanities and law are areas of relative strength in terms of both the number of high-rating researchers and overall quality.

Universities are continuing to develop their role in providing research for industry, especially to develop new knowledge. A number of polytechnics are developing, or redeveloping, their applied research programmes with industry.

Doctoral enrolments and completions continue to rise. However, Māori, Pasifika and women remain under-represented at this level.

The CoREs, established in 2001 and 2002, are making steady progress towards achieving their work programmes.

Key challenges for moving forward

From the analysis of progress to date, the following key challenges for moving forward to achieve this strategy are evident:

• continuing to build quality and excellence across tertiary education research

• utilising the considerable capability in tertiary education research to contribute to the economic and social development of the country.

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• Table of Contents

• The State of Play

• Cross Strategy Indicators

• Raise foundation skills

• Skills for our knowledge society

• Strengthen research and knowledge creation

• Te rautaki mātauranga Māori

• Pacific people’s development and success

• Capability and quality

• Technical and Data Definitions