Adelaide University says it wasn’t planning a takeover during merger talks with UniSA
THE University of Adelaide has dismissed claims merger talks with the University of South Australia broke down because it was planning a “takeover” and wanted its staff to dominate senior positions.
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THE University of Adelaide has dismissed claims merger talks with the University of South Australia broke down because it was planning a “takeover” and wanted its staff to dominate senior positions.
Talks were shelved last week following months of negotiations towards creating a merged entity spruiked as being a major benefit to the South Australian community and economy.
When formal merger talks were announced in mid-June, leaders at both institutions said it must be explored because of the “rapidly changing” higher education industry, and that a merged entity could reach the top 100-rated institutions in the world.
In an opinion column for The Advertiser, University of Adelaide chancellor, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, and vice chancellor, Professor Peter Rathjen dismiss speculation surrounding the collapse of talks.
“There has been recent public speculation about the failure of merger discussions,” they said.
“It has been represented that the University of Adelaide actively withdrew from merger discussions, that we were seeking a takeover and that we wanted our leadership to dominate. None of this is true.”
Rear Admiral Scarce and Prof Rathjen said that despite the failed merger, South Australian universities would need to continue to change and evolve in order to stop the loss of some of our brightest minds interstate.
They cited data showing 9772 South Australians were studying interstate in 2017.
“Merger, or no merger, South Australian universities must evolve to meet the challenges driving our young people away, and that’s exactly what the University of Adelaide intends to do,” they said.
UniSA declined to comment.