College to merge with uni

By AINSLEY THOMSON

New Zealand's largest teachers' college, the Auckland College of Education, will merge with Auckland University.

The two institutions will combine on September 1 to form the Faculty of Education with a roll of 4000 students at the college's Epsom site.

The merger was jointly supported by both institutions.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard said it would mix the university's research focus with the college's professional practice focus.

"We will be able to train high-quality teachers that are better suited to New Zealand's needs than can be trained by either institution operating independently."

The combined institution will have a roll of over 30,000 students.

It will provide about 24 per cent of New Zealand's primary education and 20 per cent of secondary education graduates.

The faculty's dean will be Dr John Langley, currently college principal.