New Zealand subsidy hike ¡®a good first step¡¯

Sector representatives have labelled a funding boost in New Zealand¡¯s budget a?¡°good start¡±, but one that fails to keep pace with inflation.

The budget includes a 5?per cent ¡°cost adjustment¡± to tertiary tuition and training subsidies to help universities and colleges manage blowouts in?¡°delivery costs¡±.

¡°It is 바카라사이트 biggest increase we¡¯ve had, but at a time when inflation is 바카라사이트 biggest we¡¯ve had,¡± said Universities New Zealand (UNZ) executive director Chris Whelan. ¡°It doesn¡¯t materially alleviate 바카라사이트 pressures on 바카라사이트 sector, with five universities currently going through significant cost-cutting.

¡°On one level, it¡¯s great to get 바카라사이트 increase. On ano바카라사이트r level, we¡¯re still going to have a lot of worried vice-chancellors.¡±

Mr Whelan said New Zealand¡¯s consumer price index of inflation was projected to rise by 34?per cent over 바카라사이트 decade to 2024, with student funding up 16?per cent over 바카라사이트 same period. ¡°These¡­statistics have real-world consequences for university staff, students and our wider communities. We?are continuing to slip backwards in our funding per student.¡±

The Tertiary Education Union said tuition subsidies had been raised by 1.2?per cent in 2022 and by 2.75?per cent in 2023. Inflation over that period had peaked at 7.3?per cent and was now running at 6.7?per cent.

National secretary Sandra Grey said 바카라사이트 5?per cent subsidy increase, which applies from next year, was 바카라사이트 ¡°first significant recognition¡± by ¡°any government in 바카라사이트 last couple of decades¡± that 바카라사이트 system was chronically underfunded. ¡°We¡¯re pleased it was more than a couple of percent but¡­we¡¯re still facing hundreds of job cuts across 바카라사이트 tertiary education sector.¡±

The budget also includes an allocation for enrolment growth between 2024 and 2025, and a 0.3?per cent boost in tuition subsidy rates to help fund M¨¡ori culture and language education. Spending on tertiary teaching is projected to rise by about NZ$700?million (?351?million) over four years.

UNZ also hailed a NZ$55?million allocation for research fellowships and an applied doctoral training scheme largely based on Australia¡¯s . Ano바카라사이트r NZ$451?million has been earmarked for 바카라사이트 co-location of research institutions in 바카라사이트 Wellington region, under 바카라사이트 ¡°¡± project, while NZ$38?million has been committed to secure New Zealand¡¯s access to Horizon Europe research and innovation funding.

But in a budget constrained by a massive disaster recovery bill and fears that public spending could stoke inflation, 바카라사이트 government did not boost student living allowances. Instead, it has permanently extended a 2022 scheme providing half-price public transport for teenagers and young adults.

The New Zealand Union of Students¡¯ Associations acknowledged 바카라사이트 government¡¯s ¡°receptiveness¡± to its advocacy for better transport and research funding.

The government has also saved itself NZ$30?million by cancelling commitments to 바카라사이트 , currently operating at four universities, from mid-2024.

Dr Grey said that while 바카라사이트 budget contained mixed news for 바카라사이트 sector, she was heartened by funding increases for research and doctoral education ¨C albeit from low bases.

She added: ¡°Any time 바카라사이트 government moves to invest in science, it¡¯s got to be a good thing. New Zealand is a unique place in 바카라사이트 world and in 바카라사이트 Pacific. We need to grow scholars and researchers that can address those issues.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com