University research results best for four years

THE University of Otago has received its best research results for four years, its threeyear external funding average having increased to $112.3 million, a greater output of work, and more postgraduate research students attending the university.

The information was included in a key performance indicator presented to the University Council on Tuesday.

The KPI for the year ending 2017 had various targets, divided into categories involving teaching, research, and providing a good student experience.

Planning and funding director David Thompson told councillors the university hit 74% of its targets overall.

Research performance was the best it had been for four years, Mr Thompson said.

The rolling average for funding had increased by $14.5 million and the number of postgraduate research equivalent fulltime students rose to 8.9% of the roll, and research output also increased.

There was an overall increase in the number of staff taking research and study leave, driven by an increase in the Division of Sciences.

The university also received good results when it came to outstanding student services.

The number of graduates pursuing further study or to employment for students once they left, was above target, at 97.4%.

‘‘They are really high by world standards as well,’’ Mr Thompson said.

‘‘We’ve got really outstanding satisfaction ratings.’’

Enrolment numbers for Maori students at the university were at an all time high, and pass rates among Maori students increased to 81.5%, from 79 % the previous year.

Across the board 85.8% of firstyear students passed their courses, compared to 85% the previous year.

Enrolment rates for Pacific Island students were also up, but pass rates were down from 2016 which reflected the difficulty of achieving both targets together.

The report said the percentage of students who gave positive feedback on the quality of teaching at the university improved from both 2015 and 2016.

However the number of students who felt they developed a cultural understanding, a global perspective, a multidisciplinary perspective, and teamwork skills was below target.

‘‘Improved performance against this measure remains a priority,’’ the report said.

‘‘Results for the graduate opinion survey were similar to previous years,’’ the report said.

Ninetyeight percent of students surveyed provided a positive assessment of their residential colleges, and more than 90% of students said they were happy with the campus environment, personal safety, university libraries, IT facilities, sport and recreation and living accommodation.

However satisfaction levels for the University Union, including the union’s food and beverage service, were below target at only 83%.