This media release from the Association of University Staff in NZ may
interest forum members.
Lawrie
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26 March 1998
Media statement - for immediate release
International academics threaten 'grey listing' of New Zealand
universities
A threatened academic 'grey listing' of New Zealand universities
would have serious consequences for the reputation of this country's
higher education institutions, warned the Association of University
Staff (AUS) in Wellington today.
The threat, revealed in an article published in the international science
journal Nature this week, comes as the Government is considering
radical changes to New Zealand universities as part of its on-going
tertiary education review. The powerful International Conference of
University Teacher Organizations (ICUTO), an umbrella grouping of
professional university staff representing members in 16 countries*,
will shortly place New Zealand amongst a 'grey list' of nations to
alert academics contemplating taking a position at a New Zealand
university, or co-operating with researchers here, of their grave
concern at the reforms contemplated. Around 60% of academic staff in
New Zealand universities are recruited from overseas.
Specific concern surrounds proposals to weaken or remove academic
staff representation in university governance - virtually unparalleled
in the western world. ICUTO is also concerned that proposals
contained in the Government's green paper on tertiary education
published last year would, if implemented, see a deterioration of
working standards and threaten the important principle of academic
freedom.
AUS President Ijan Beveridge warned the Government that it should not
attempt to impose 'reforms' on universities which were clearly
creating international alarm
"The strength of our university system has until now been its ability
to select from amongst the best academics throughout the world. Wyatt
Creech would be very foolish indeed to remove this opportunity from
New Zealand students".
Mr. Beveridge also indicated reforms proposed in the green paper would
put the Government in breech of the UNESCO Recommendation on the
Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel, which was adopted last
November. New Zealand representatives were involved in drafting the
recommendation. The Recommendation affirms the right of academics to
participate in university governance.
ENDS
for further information, Ijan Beveridge, phone (04) 382 8491 or (025)
363 269.
* ICUTO member organisations represent university staff in the
following countries: USA, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Fiji, UK,
Iceland, Canada, Australia, Germany, Ireland, France, Poland and South
Africa.
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Dr. Lawrence D. Berg
Lecturer in Human Geography
S C H O O L of G L O B A L S T U D I E S
Te Whare Waananga o Manawatu/Massey University -- Turitea
Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North
Aotearoa/New Zealand
Voice: +64 - 6 - 350-5999 Fax: +64 - 6 - 350-5644
Email: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]
web: http://www.massey.ac.nz/~wwgeog/ldb.html
Editor: SITES -- A Journal for South Pacific Cultural Studies
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