Councillors from the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka and Dunedin City Council have met to discuss the University's strategy and plans and to identify ways they can strengthen the town and gown relationship.
The workshop held yesterday featured the recently elected Mayor, City Councillors and Executive Leadership Team, and members of the University Council and Senior Leadership Team, and was the first time in many years that the two Councils had met.
The group was given a tour of the University's newest residential college, Te Rangihīroa, before hearing about the University's plans, including Pae Tata, the Strategic Plan to 2030, its new Mana-to-Mana Agreement – Te Kaha Uia Te Kaha and the relationship of the University and the health sector.
Chancellor Trish Oakley says the workshop was a positive step in reinforcing relationships between two of the city's major organisations and aligning their shared ambitions for the city, its people and future.
"The University and City Council are inextricably linked," she says.
"Each year about 85 per cent of our students come from outside the city and Dunedin becomes their home."
The University plays an important role in the local economy, contributing an estimated $1.31 billion last year, some 15 per cent of the city's Gross Regional Product, she says.
"We recognise the City Council as a key strategic partner. The more we can work together, the greater the benefits will be for Dunedin."
Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson says there are already many partnerships in place between the two organisation such as the Sophia Charter and the DCC Chair in Entrepreneurship.
"As the City Council is at the start of its triennium and they welcome many new councillors to the fold, it was the perfect time to share with them our goals and plans.
"We will work together with the Council on many fronts over the next few years. We want to make sure that we are taking a Dunedin Inc approach as much as possible when working with central government, businesses and other partners."
Mayor of Dunedin, Sophie Barker, welcomes opportunities for the Council and the University to work closely together.
"By continuing to strengthen the collaborative relationship that exists between town and gown, we can add to Dunedin's economic development, growth, vibrancy and overall success," she says.
"Education is a cornerstone of our identity as a city – locally, nationally and globally. A thriving University and student sector are important for our long-term prosperity, and have considerable potential to attract talent, innovation and investment to Dunedin."
