It was possible Lincoln could retain its independence but of greater importance was its ability to refocus on its core business then consider its strategic options.
“I am not going to prejudge those options and I do not have a view of the best outcome,” he said.
Lincoln has been looking for $5 million in savings as it grapples with continued financial deficits and a static roll.
It recently announced 51 redundancies at its university and Telford campuses, the ending of some courses and changes to its academic management.
Joyce said Lincoln needed to focus on its core degree and research roles but plans for a Lincoln science hub would also provide further opportunities for student learning and interaction.
Delivering education at Telford was an opportunity Lincoln had pursued but which had failed, he said.
It was designed to attract students doing sub-degree courses at Telford to graduate to university study.
Joyce said it had been hoped 40% of students would progress from sub-degree to degree education but that did not happen.
He would welcome a partnership of providers being involved in delivering training at Telford.
Lincoln looked like it might exit its involvement at Telford before next semester and it had been revealed that Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre and Invercargill’s Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) might take over the sub-degree training at the south Otago farm.
Joyce was confident Telford would come out of the restructuring in a strong position and said Taratahi and SIT were proven providers of sub-degree education.
“I think it would be good to see one or two parties in a partnership to make sure the network is strong in sub-degree training.”
Speaking on the decision by several sub-degree training providers to stop providing primary sector training, Joyce said they all offered slightly different training.
He was confident the primary sector would end up with a much stronger training structure for sub-degree courses.
Joyce urged employers and farming leaders to talk to the Ministry for Primary Industries and Tertiary Education Commission about the quality of trainers and the relevance of skills being taught.
