The idea of a merger to create Adelaide University (CMM yesterday) isn’t new – John Saunders from consultants Linden Group points to his report to the state government back in 2005.

“Universities are the brain of knowledge-based societies. Adelaide, a city-state of 1 million people, has too many independent universities. The three universities should strongly collaborate under the brand of a single entity called ‘Adelaide University’ with regional, city-north, city-centre and city-south campuses. … In time, this globally oriented university of teaching and R&D excellence must be led to join the ranks of the world’s top 20 universities. It will then return to the city its famous name – Adelaide – but now with a brand equity like the mid-sized cities of Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard and their connection with the global flow of ideas,” he suggested.