University cash back on agenda

By LIBBY MIDDLEBROOK

Three of the Government's top power brokers are to meet universities and polytechnics tomorrow in a bid to resolve a financial stalemate.

The meeting - called by Tertiary Education Minister Steve Maharey, Education Minister Trevor Mallard and Finance Minister Michael Cullen - follows a week of protesting by the Vice-Chancellors Committee, which represents the country's eight universities.

The committee is unhappy with the progress of earlier talks between the two groups over a financial deal proposed by the Government in the May 24 Budget.

Tertiary institutions have been asked to freeze student fees next year in exchange for an increase in taxpayer money.

But the committee has recommended that university councils reject the deal by the August 31 deadline, as it would cost them too much money.

A meeting last month between tertiary institutions and the three ministers did not resolve the deadlock, the Government saying it could not afford to increase its financial offer.

A spokesperson for Mr Maharey said the Government had no new deal to offer the institutions.

"It's just a further meeting to continue discussions. It's part of an ongoing process."

href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?reportID=57032">Catching the knowledge wave

Other Herald features

Our turn

The jobs challenge