WelCom February 2018: Following an independent review commissioned by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops last year, the bishops have announced a new entity for the delivery of Catholic tertiary education. The teaching and learning services provided by Good Shepherd College (GSC) and The Catholic Institute (TCI) are to be brought together under one governance structure the bishops announced last December. They said this is to strengthen capacity for excellence in theological and religious studies as well as academic formation for seminarians through a high standard Bachelor’s degree, together with research and public engagement.
During 2018 Sir Brian Roche will lead an establishment board to guide the process of moving toward the proposed single entity. Sir Brian is a former chief executive of PWC New Zealand and NZ Post. He has held a number of public sector roles.
Sir Brian was involved in the consultation with stakeholders as part of the review.
Meanwhile, the TCI Council and GSC Senate will remain in place, providing oversight of each entity and ensuring quality teaching, advocacy, research, curriculum development, and academic formation of seminarians continue.
NZCBC President Bishop Patrick Dunn said, ‘the role of Catholic tertiary education is vital for the mission of the Church in the world and offers tremendous benefit to the wider New Zealand public.’
The new entity is expected to be in place by 2019 with confirmation on the timeline for changes in place as the establishment board begins its work in early 2018.
Amanda Gregan