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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 PBRF 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.

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.

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

Progress to 2005/06

The analysis of profiles found that around half of TEOs had change-focused objectives in this strategy in 2005/07 profiles, increasing to nearly two-thirds in 2006/08 profiles. The growth in focus has largely been in the ITP and wānanga sub-sectors.

In 2005/07 profiles the main focus was developing quality research programmes, as well as networks and collaboration. The increased focus in 2006/08 profiles has largely been concentrated on developing quality research programmes, in ITPs as well as universities, as they prepare for the 2006 PBRF quality evaluations.

Percentage of TEOs with change-focused objectives relating to ‘Strengthen Research, Knowledge Creation and Uptake’ in profiles 2005/07–2006/08

Universities continue to contribute heavily to new and future knowledge through basic research. However, it is harder to trace the contribution of tertiary education research to specific national goals. In general, TEOs are not specifically focused on national goals in their organisational planning.

Evidence suggests that collaboration among New Zealand TEOs in research is increasing. The Centres of Research Excellence (CoREs) have played an important role in modelling and encouraging collaboration and demonstrating the benefits of working across discipline and institutional boundaries.

There appears to be increased support for new researchers, with improved retention in doctorate degrees. The progression of Māori and Pasifika students to doctoral studies has also increased substantially. These improvements may relate to the additional funding for doctoral degree completions within the PBRF.

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 develop and implement support for quality research programmes in TEIs
• establishing clearer connections between tertiary education research and its contribution to national goals
• continuing to support greater collaboration among institutions, particularly where benefits of new knowledge creation are possible
• continuing to support new researchers through doctoral studies, followed up with post-doctoral opportunities.

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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