Towards a fairer system of tertiary education

One of the key outcomes of the fee setting process and the student and staff response at the University of Canterbury was the agreement by the Vice Chancellor to host a tripartite university education forum of staff, student and universitiesí management representatives.

This meeting will take place in mid-November. Its agenda includes fees and loans, access to and the quality of university education. One of the expected outcomes is a call for an independent national commission of enquiry into university education.

Student Associations and the Association of University Staff have already indicated they will attend.

This forum will focus public attention on university education and will act as a catalyst for ensuring university education is a key election issue. It is an agenda setting exercise for New Zealand university education for the future: fair fees, fair loans, fair access, high quality graduates contributing to a knowledge society.

"Students commend the Vice Chancellor for committing to this action. His action demonstrates yet again that although there may be disputes between university management and students, the bigger picture that drives many of the disputes is the current system of university funding which is at odds with what the majority of people believe is fair and is at odds with the goal of building a knowledge society".

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