The University of Otago will consult its staff and Maori before settling on the personal attributes it is seeking in a new vice-chancellor.
Incumbent Prof Sir David Skegg is stepping down at the end of July next year and the university has already announced an international search for his replacement.
In the latest university Bulletin magazine, chancellor John Ward, who heads the university council, said the views of a wide range of focus groups would be canvassed about current and future issues for the university and the type of leadership and personal attributes seen as desirable in the next vice-chancellor.
The focus groups would include staff representatives from the academic and service divisions, the Otago University Students' Association (OUSA), unions and the university council.
The views of Ngai Tahu would also be sought.
Once the meetings were finished, the job description and personal specifications for the vice-chancellor's position would be developed before the search began.
Mr Ward will head the appointment advisory committee.
Its other members are university council pro-chancellor Stuart McLauchlan; university council members Peter Chin, Lorraine Isaacs, Donna Matahaere-Atariki and Kereyn Smith; university senate (academic committee) members Prof James Higham, Assoc Prof David Hutchinson, Dr James Maclaurin, Prof Helen Nicholson and Prof Evelyn Tribble; general staff representative Margaret Morgan; OUSA president Harriet Geoghegan; and co-opted member Prof Peter Joyce.
Heidrick and Struggles, a US-based international company which specialises in the search for chief executives across all employment sectors, has been appointed to assist the advisory committee.
