Change tack, VUW

He states soundly enough, ‘‘equality of educational outcome is never a reasonable objective. Equality of opportunity, regardless of ethnicity or wealth, should be the foundation stone of our education system’’, but then, in direct contradiction of the notion that equality of outcome is not reasonable, espouses ‘‘outcomes should not differ for groups in accordance with ethnicity and/or wealth’’.

In fact, it is perfectly reasonable for equality of opportunity to produce an above-average (different) educational result for, say, a member of a more industrious ethnic group, or a poor student highly motivated to escape poverty through educational achievement.

John George Ronaldson McLean, Khandallah For the second time VUW has taken out a full-page advertisement putting the case for a change of name. But surely the decision has already been taken. So who is still to be persuaded? The minister? For it certainly looks like Chris Hipkins is far from convinced.

So why not look at the issue in a different way? The display of the crests of other ‘‘Victoria Universities’’ around the world in fact suggests a great opportunity.

Instead of trying to distinguish VUW from these, why not make a common cause with them? Establish a consortium of Victorias to collaborate in research and staff and student exchange projects to the mutual benefit of all.

The diversity of those universities, spread as they are across four continents, would enable a fruitful and dynamic cooperation to take place which could promote all of the component members together on the world academic stage.

That is much more likely to ensure VUW’s profile is enhanced, than by the launch of a new name. For do the proponents of the change really believe that the sudden emergence of a johnny-come-lately university title will cut through the international higher education smog?

There is every reason to doubt it. Colin Anderson, Raumati Beach