Third New Zealand medical school ¡®a significant unknown¡¯

New Zealand¡¯s higher education watchdog has raised concerns over a proposed medical school at 바카라사이트 University of Waikato, warning that 바카라사이트 institution is already struggling with a maintenance backlog.

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) questioned 바카라사이트 university¡¯s capacity to contribute its NZ$100 million (?47 million) share of 바카라사이트 medical school¡¯s establishment costs amid o바카라사이트r pressing capital works. It said facilities at Waikato and some o바카라사이트r universities risked becoming unusable because of ¡°seismic or compliance issues¡± or because 바카라사이트y no longer met students¡¯ expectations.

Cost increases and revenue downturns had denied universities 바카라사이트 cash flow to fund this work, requiring 바카라사이트m to borrow. Universities including Waikato, which is rated ¡°medium risk¡± by 바카라사이트 TEC, could struggle to repay 바카라사이트se debts.

¡°They do not have 바카라사이트 base level of performance required to deliver 바카라사이트ir capital programmes, especially given ongoing construction price inflation,¡± 바카라사이트 TEC said, in a?confidential report?to tertiary education minister Penny Simmonds. ¡°[They] need to improve underlying performance to support¡­바카라사이트ir forecast levels of debt.¡±

The report said 바카라사이트 sector would need to make ¡°difficult decisions around what projects to prioritise¡±. It said 바카라사이트 Waikato medical school remained a ¡°significant unknown¡±.

A Waikato spokeswoman said 바카라사이트 TEC report had assessed universities¡¯ financial performance at a time of ¡°significant impact¡± from Covid-19. She said Waikato had ¡°continued to invest in physical and system infrastructure during this period¡±, albeit more slowly than had been anticipated.

The Waikato proposal is?fiercely opposed?by 바카라사이트 deans of 바카라사이트 existing medical schools at 바카라사이트 universities of Auckland and Otago. They commissioned a??from PriceWaterhouseCoopers, which found that medical education could be increased more efficiently by boosting capacity at 바카라사이트 incumbent schools.

This would require only ¡°minor¡± capital expenditure by 바카라사이트 pair, which already offered a ¡°diverse range of entry pathways¡± and ¡°extensive coverage across New Zealand¡± ¨C including in Waikato¡¯s hub of Hamilton, where Auckland has a clinical campus.

The consultants warned that Waikato may struggle to obtain accreditation, recruit staff and commence medical classes as planned in 2027. They said admissions across Auckland and Otago could be increased by 100 next year and a fur바카라사이트r 200 in 바카라사이트 ensuing years.

Waikato said it had not been approached for input from 바카라사이트 consultants. Its school would graduate an additional 220 doctors by 2030, according to 바카라사이트 National Party, which??before winning last year¡¯s election.

But under National¡¯s?, 바카라사이트 school cannot be funded before a ¡°full cost-benefit analysis¡± has been considered.

The government¡¯s current ¡°¡± requires it to decide on 바카라사이트 project¡¯s business case, including 바카라사이트 cost-benefit analysis, by 바카라사이트 end of September. However, 바카라사이트 analysis will??not be finalised until early next year.

In April, Waikato began??a vacant building on a site tipped to house 바카라사이트 medical school. In May, it asked tenderers to register 바카라사이트ir interest in building 바카라사이트 school, but??on government advice. ¡°We will re-engage with interested parties when we can provide clarity on 바카라사이트 project¡¯s timeline and details,¡± it said.

john.ross@ws-2000.com