New Zealand on Tuesday announced a multi-million-dollar bailout for cash-strapped universities, in the hope of preventing jobs and courses from being cut at institutions struggling to bounce back from the pandemic.
The finance and education departments said they will pump NZ$128 million (US$79 million) into the sector through more tuition subsidies.
Some of New Zealand's top universities are struggling with low domestic enrollment numbers and a slower-than-hoped return of international students after Covid-19 border closures.
Dunedin-based Otago University and Victoria University of Wellington each recently signalled that hundreds of jobs could be in jeopardy and courses cut due to budget shortfalls.
Education Minister Jan Tinetti said the one-off boost will help New Zealand's degree providers over the next two years.
"This funding will help maintain the quality and breadth of higher education offerings and research capability in our tertiary institutions," she added.
"This is vital for our students, our tertiary workforce, our broader research system, and for economic and social wellbeing in New Zealand."
She admitted the cash boost "will not resolve all the issues that universities are facing, but it should make a positive difference".
Julie Douglas, president of the Tertiary Education Union, described the government's decision as "better late than never" and was "cautiously optimistic" that the extra money would be enough to stop some universities from having to make cuts.
"But given it is not targeted at the institutions that are struggling the most, we are concerned the money may be spread too thin," she warned.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
KTR Break Dance Comment Row: Time To Change Anti-Women Mindset?
UAE Possible Candidate To Host Women's T20 World Cup 2024, Bangladesh Ask For More Time Devon Conway, Finn Allen Opt Out Of New Zealand Cricket Contract, Focus On Franchise Cricket New Zealand Charity Apologises For Donating Sweets Containing Lethal Meth Video: Woman Tries To Jump Off Mumbai's Atal Setu, Saved By Driver, Cops Kolkata Rape-Murder Case Updates: Doctors On 24-Hour Nationwide Strike Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources Raksha Bandhan 2024: A Unique Tradition And Its Genesis PM Modi Addresses 3rd India-Hosted Voice Of Global South Summit Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah To Be Prosecuted In Land Scam Case Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.