The Marine Studies department at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic has been recognised by Padi (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) Asia Pacific as a centre of excellence making an outstanding contribution to dive instructor training.
The IDC (Instructor Development Course) is a second year elective for students on the Diploma in
Marine Studies and the programme's tutors are responsible for teaching between 25 per cent and 30 per cent of the country's dive instructors.
Marine Studies students taking dive instructing complete an intensive course that finishes with a three-day exam.
The external examiners are brought in from Padi Australia to ensure a high standard and an unbiased examination.
Academic staff member Daniel Sharp was thrilled to receive the award and was proud of the standards achieved by this year's students.