The University of Waikato recorded a $9.4 million surplus in 2013 and has retained its status as a low-risk institution, the Tauranga business community was told at stakeholder breakfast.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford spoke to around 50 business people, community leaders and staff at its annual Tauranga Stakeholder Breakfast held at Trinity Wharf yesterday morning.

The University of Waikato is boasting a successful year.

Roy says the surplus is based on revenue of $225 million and, at 4.15 per cent, is within the 3-5 per cent threshold of government expectations.

He says the University's economic impact on the region was approaching $1 billion.

'Other highlights during the 2013 year included hosting the country's first MOOC [Massive Open Online Course], launching New Zealand's first cyber-security laboratory and Masters in Cyber Security, hosting the $31 million ‘Building on Success' programme and the partnership with the New Zealand Home of Cycling's Avantidrome.”

Roy says one of the priorities for 2014 was to progress the new Tauranga CBD campus being planned by the Bay of Plenty Tertiary Partnership which comprises Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Waiariki Institute of Technology and the University. He acknowledged receiving Bay of Plenty Regional Council support of $15 million towards the new campus funding.

'Other priorities for this year included reaching Ministry Funded (MF) and Full-Cost International [FCI] enrolment targets, implementing the University's new Strategy, and launching a fund-raising campaign.

Work on the new Law and Management Building at the Hamilton Campus has just begun this week.

The University continues to be ranked in the top two per cent of universities worldwide, with five of its subject areas ranked in the top 150 worldwide.

Education is ranked 46th out of around 15,000 universities.