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When I picked up the portfolio of Minister for Tertiary Education, I stated that a key part of my agenda - as it had been for ministers before me - would be to get a stronger focus on the quality and relevance of teaching, learning and research.

This second annual monitoring report on the Tertiary Education Strategy confirms that the tertiary education system by and large is working well and making shifts in the right direction. There is more attention being given to quality of teaching and learning within providers. The new funding arrangements for research are encouraging degree-granting institutions to give greater support to developing researchers and research programmes. The government is also investing in developing quality provision, particularly in the area of foundation education.

However, the report confirms my concern that the current funding system is an impediment to further development of quality and relevance. The system rewards quantity-driven, rather than quality-driven provision. It is difficult to establish longer-term dialogue with key stakeholders, while focusing on meeting financial targets through enrolments. A number of institutions face considerable short-term financial uncertainty, which makes longer-term planning problematic.

We are continuing to work towards implementing the new funding and quality systems in 2008. The new approach will enable the government to invest in organisations based on agreed plans that focus on quality provision in areas of priority.

At the same time as releasing this report, I have released the discussion document for the second Tertiary Education Strategy to take effect from 2008 to 2012. I intend that the second strategy provides a clearer focus on achieving the key outcomes of tertiary education, namely:

1. educational success for all New Zealanders through lifelong learning
2. creating and apply knowledge to drive innovation
3. strong connections between tertiary education organisations and communities they serve.

Over the next few months, there will be extensive consultation on how the strategy can lead to sector towards greater achievement of these outcomes. The information in this report provides a sound basis for considering where we are at and where we need to move to next.

Hon Dr Michael Cullen
MINISTER FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION

Home Page | Foreword by the Secretary for Education →

• 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