Abstract
We recognised our A-rated researchers, and, following the announcement and support of 13 research centres in 2006, further committed significant resources to flagship research niche areas.
The latter plan recognises that the University cannot strive to be at world-class level in all possible research nodes and areas, and that it was essential, based on clearly defined criteria (such as the size and strength of the research group, and the quality and quantity of its research output) to identify and invest in these research niches.
The assumption is that these are already recognised for their outstanding contribution
to global knowledge, that postgraduate student numbers
would increase significantly
in these niches, and that there would be commercial spin-offs from the research output so produced.