Partnering for Impact: How Research and Community Align with NZ’s New University Priorities
At the Times Higher Education (THE) Campus Live 2025, Pūtahi Manawa Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) highlighted how partnership, community, and co-design contribute to universities’ efforts to deliver research that benefits Aotearoa. As the only national Centre of Research Excellence represented, Co‑Director Pacific Soteria Ieremia offered a Pacific community perspective on a panel that explored how Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) universities can collaborate with Pacific Island institutions to address global challenges.
Government’s New Priorities for Universities
At the event, held for the first time in Aotearoa New Zealand, hosted at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, more than 170 higher education, industry, and policy leaders gathered to explore how universities can prepare students for future jobs, respond to global challenges, and embrace new technologies.
Honourable Dr Shane Reti, Minister for Universities, challenged universities to strengthen links between education and industry:
"We need stronger and faster pathways from research into real-world impact. And we need institutions that can adapt quickly to new opportunities in areas like advanced technologies."
Dr Reti also announced the development of a new Tertiary Education Strategy, to be ready by the end of November 2025, that will guide the Tertiary Education Commission’s investments. It will focus on five priorities:
- Lifting student achievement.
- Maximising economic impact and innovation.
- Increasing access and participation for people from all backgrounds and regions.
- Building stronger integration between universities, communities, and industries.
- Strengthening international education and global connections.
Pūtahi Manawa: Research in Action
Soteria Ieremia highlighted how Pūtahi Manawa already embodies these priorities:
"The tertiary system is complex, but as a Centre of Research Excellence focusing on interdisciplinary research, we partner not only with tertiary institutes but also with industry and community. Together we deliver research excellence that responds to real-world problems like heart disease, which in turn supports Aotearoa’s economic and social wellbeing."
As the only CoRE invited to the event, Pūtahi Manawa stood out as an exemplar of multidisciplinary research and meaningful community engagement. Ieremia emphasised the Centre’s approach of working with Pacific communities through Time, Trust, and Transparency, creating outcomes that are both innovative and impactful.
Bringing Pacific Voices to the Fore
Joining a panel of senior university leaders from across Aotearoa, Ieremia contributed insights on the importance of Pacific-led research and collaboration with institutions across Australia and the Pacific Islands. The panel featured Dr Jemaima Sipaea Tiatia-Siau (Pro-Vice Chancellor Pacific, University of Auckland), Professor Cheryl Brown (Head of School, UC), and Professor Nic Smith (Vice-Chancellor, Victoria University of Wellington), and was moderated by Michael Fay (ASEAN University Network).
Reflecting on the event, Ieremia said:
"It was important to highlight the multidisciplinary relationships and impact embedded throughout Pūtahi Manawa – both nationally and internationally. THE Campus Live provided valuable opportunities for robust, insightful conversations."
Looking Ahead
The Government’s new tertiary priorities call for stronger partnerships and greater responsiveness to communities and industries. Pūtahi Manawa is already showing how these goals can be achieved in practice: by weaving together research excellence, community engagement, and Pacific leadership to create knowledge that drives real-world change.