University and Polytechnic join forces to enhance education for Bay of Plenty region

Bay of Plenty people will soon have more tertiary programmes to choose from as the University of Waikato and the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic strengthen their unique ties.

The two organisations, which already work together on some teaching and research, have spent the past two years discussing and designing extra research and tertiary programmes for Bay of Plenty people in a bid to meet the needs of a fast-growing region.

In 2009 more university students and staff will move to share the polytechnic’s two sites – Windermere Campus and the Bongard Centre. There are also plans for a new building at Windermere to accommodate extra staff and students and shared campus facilities will mean students have seamless access to Polytechnic and University degree pathway programmes.

Together, the two institutions currently cater for students equivalent to 430 full time students (EFTS) in a range of partnership programmes (this excludes Polytechnic programmes run in conjunction with other institutions), but extra courses will see that number potentially rise to almost 1000 EFTS by 2012.

The programmes offered through the partnership will enable students to staircase seamlessly between the two institutions from entry level qualifications to degrees.

University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford said University student numbers in Tauranga increased by 13% this year, so there was an obvious need to look closely at how current and prospective students could be catered for on an ongoing basis, as well as responding to interest in a wide range of subjects.

"Like the Polytechnic, we are very committed to provide education to meet the growing needs of the region. It was an obvious solution to work more closely with the Polytechnic to enhance the education offerings for the Bay."

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Chief Executive, Dr Alan Hampton, believes that shared delivery plus academic and campus developments will offer significant advantages, with the two organisations well placed to achieve much more for the region.

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