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Universities New Zealand
Universities New Zealand - Te Pōkai Tara - is responsible for the quality of university programmes, administers a range of scholarships and represents the universities in the public interest, both nationally and internationally.
For more details see http://www.universitiesnz.ac.nz
The New Zealand University System
Universities are a vital part of modern society and are important not just for teaching but also for research and the development of society as a whole. As centres of research excellence they play an important role in economic transformation and development.
Under Section 162 of the Education Act (1989) a university is defined as having the following characteristics:
- They are primarily concerned with more advanced learning, the principal aim being to develop intellectual independence:
- Their research and teaching are closely interdependent and most of their teaching is done by people who are active in advancing knowledge:
- They meet international standards of research and teaching:
- They are a repository of knowledge and expertise: and
- They accept a role as critic and conscience of society.
Universities help society by increasing the skills and knowledge base and in the acquisition of the skills necessary for the professions such as medicine, law and engineering.
As institutions of higher learning, universities are involved not only in the basic skills needed in the profession but also in what can be called basic life skills – analysis, flexible thinking, communication, adaptation and innovation.
That is, universities don't just train, they educate.
Universities also enhance society through their contribution to our understanding of social issues and our achievement of social, economic and physical well-being.