How do universities differ from other tertiary organisations?
The special characteristics and roles of universities are defined in the Education Act 1989:
“…a university is characterised by a wide diversity of teaching and research, especially at a higher level, that maintains, advances, disseminates, and assists the application of, knowledge, develops intellectual independence, and promotes community learning…”
“…universities have all the following characteristics…:
- they are primarily concerned with more advanced learning, the principal aim being to develop intellectual independence:
- their research and teaching are closely interdependent and most of their teaching is done by people who are active in advancing knowledge:
- they meet international standards of research and teaching:
- they are a repository of knowledge and expertise:
- they accept a role as critic and conscience of society.”
Other tertiary institutions need have only one or more of the characteristics above.