By ROB O'NEILL
Research in New Zealand could be strengthened by merging universities with crown research institutes, says a vice-chancellors' spokesman.
Professor James McWha, deputy chairman of the university vice-chancellors' committee, said a broader review of government research bodies was needed, rather than amalgamating universities, as suggested by the Association of Crown Research Institutes.
Rather than focusing solely on the universities' capabilities, a review should encompass all government research facilities.
"You would solve the training issue and at the same time beef up the whole research capability," he said.
"It's an option that hasn't been considered, but it seems to me an outstandingly good option."
Professor McWha, vice-chancellor of Massey University, was responding to an economics paper from the Association of Crown Research Institutes seeking a policy programme of "cleverly designed, well informed interventions" to boost New Zealand's performance.
Association president Dr Andrew West advocated university amalgamation as one part of that programme, which would cut the number of universities from eight to around three "world-class" institutions.
That suggestion has been labelled a "managerialist dream" by Association of University Staff president Neville Blampied.
He said universities were developing their own "centres of excellence," and repairing the damage after a decade of funding cuts was vital.
Meanwhile, the mysterious Association for United Science, in a press release notably embargoed until April 1, advocated the merger of all crown research institutes into a new Department of Science and Innovation (DSI).
Professor McWha said the international rankings of universities, which often showed New Zealand institutions in an unfavourable light, as mentioned in the paper, could be misleading.
Some of the scorings simply measured turnover, so institutions with expensive medical schools ranked higher.
"If you use a system like the German system, which looks at outcomes and satisfaction of employers you get a different result.
"All we can do is measure how welcome our students are in the international environment and how keen international students are to come here.
"On those scores New Zealand universities still rate well."
Dr John Hinchcliff, vice-chancellor of Auckland University of Technology, said merging universities would not necessarily solve the research and development problem. Universities had different specialties and that diversity should continue.
AUT was already working in partnership with Auckland University to make it a world-class research-led institution while learning remained its primary focus. "I believe in mergers and alliances where there is a cultural fit. If they are done out of the barrel of a shotgun it's a recipe for disaster."
A further research problem is low levels of demand for particular but important skills.
Professor McWha, who used to run a crown research institute, said research bodies were often looking for graduates with very precise skill-sets.
"When you have to ask 'how many of these people do you employ each year?' The answer is they employ one every second year.
"How can we run a course to produce one student every second year? I think there are some unreasonable expectations."
Professor McWha said the crown research institutes' paper had raised important issues, as New Zealand was not doing enough research and development to add value to its products.
He said neither the private sector nor the Government had a deep enough commitment to research.
Crowning glory for research
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