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The heads of two of the country's top universities are being accused by staff of unseemly behaviour after a public row over research rankings.
The spat dates from the release of the Tertiary Education Commission's Performance Based Research Fund rankings this month, in which the University of Otago leap-frogged the University of Auckland to take top spot. The rankings are used in the allocation of about $230 million a year in research funding.
University of Auckland vice-chancellor Professor Stuart McCutcheon said at the time any system could be "managed". He suggested other universities may have boosted their performance by strategically reducing the number of eligible staff who did not do research.
University of Otago vice-chancellor David Skegg denied the accusation and questioned the accuracy of some of the Auckland University's advertising. Among the claims made in the adverts was: "Only the University of Auckland ranks first in New Zealand in research quality evaluation." Professor Skegg said yesterday the University of Otago had taken legal advice and was considering its options.
Auckland University said the research ranking report was reviewed with great care and it stood by its advertising and public statements.
The Association of University Staff was unimpressed with the public fallout.
National president Nigel Haworth said it was an "unseemly spat" that did nothing to enhance the university system's reputation of quality.
"It's not a particularly distinguished perspective to adopt," said Professor Haworth.
"These are major institutions in the nation and shouldn't, I think, be seen squabbling in this manner."
He said universities should work together and called for university councils to step in and end the squabbling.
"All universities have improved their research output and there is little, if any, difference between the top universities," said Professor Haworth.
"University councils should now step in and ensure that research efforts enhance the university system, rather than allow them to be used as the basis of competition."
