Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust (TECT) are asking for feedback on a proposal that would see $15 million funded to the Bay of Plenty Tertiary Education Partnership (TEP) to expand Tertiary Education in Tauranga.
The Bay of Plenty Tertiary Education Partnership is made up of four autonomous institutions; the Bay ofPlenty Polytechnic, Waiariki Institute of Technology, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, and the University of Waikato.
The TECT funding proposed to the Partnership is to fund the expansion of Tertiary Education in Tauranga.
The TECT announcement said new facilities were required to support an increase in research and tertiary education reflecting the region's competitive advantage, provide pathways through tertiary education from certificates to post graduate qualifications and, attract more young people, particularly Maori, into post-secondary education within the region.
The proposal would roll out in two stages with the first stage construction set to be completed in 2018. The projections are for an additional 2500 equivalent full time students by the end of stage two.
The other funders would be the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (through the Regional Infrastructure Fund), Tauranga City Council (donation of land), and the University of Waikato.
TECT Trustees have recommended that funding of up to $15million be made available to expand Tertiary Education in Tauranga subject to the Tertiary Education Partnership entering into a funding agreement with TECT that is satisfactory to Trustees.
TECT Trustees are seeking consumer responses to the proposal.
