When opposition leader, Peter Malinauskas wanted to merge Adelaide unis to create a global top 100 institution. Now he is premier, he still wants to. Uni SA VC David Lloyd wonders what that means and why it matters

In a message to staff yesterday Professor Lloyd set out a context the premier’s proposal.

For a start, he asks if a merger of any two of SA’s three public universities is needed to create a global top 100 university.  Instead “sound strategy and good management” can do it.

Then there is the question of which top-100. A university could hire talent and concentrate research to meet specific ranking requirements,  but such a top-100 result would not have the “wider economic outcomes” the premier has in mind.

And size does not matter for uni performance. “If you’re good, you’re good. It does not really matter how big you are. “Well-resourced institutions outperform all others in international rankings across the board.”

But there is a different rank that that he thinks would rate, “At a minimum it’s having one of the top three Australian universities in this state. That’s interesting. That’s ambitious. That would attract students to South Australia – domestic and international – in a way that existing institutions individually cannot achieve.

Smart stuff.  Lloyd has given whoever will draft the terms of reference for Mr Malinauskas inquiry things to consider – and who gets their ideas on the agenda is always well-placed.