Bond issue to halt the brain robbery

Vice-Chancellor Rod Carr says the issue is an opportunity for New Zealanders to make a direct investment in education infrastructure and help the University progress from being a high-quality institution to one that can truly call itself host to a world-class learning environment.

Dr Carr says in the next 10 years the University plans to invest as much as $500 million in developments such as building refurbishments, new buildings, ICT infrastructure and alternative technologies to develop a world-class learning environment that attracts outstanding scholars from across the spectrum of academic disciplines.

"We need to promote a learning environment that attracts people who have the desire and potential to make a difference. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to do all we can to stop what I fear could become the great brain robbery.

He says universities in Australia, India and China are not only better equipped than New Zealnd ones and there is a need to catch up to them. Currently the university's ambition to realise its potential is being constrained by the funds it retains from grants and fees for teaching and research, one-off grants from government, and donors.