Otago University says an alliance with the University of Sydney could help reduce New Zealand's radiation therapist shortage.
Radiation therapy is taught at Otago University's Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Under the alliance, the universities would collaborate to offer distance-learning programmes for graduates, with specialisation available in advanced radiation therapy,the school's radiation therapy department head Karen Coleman said today.
The lack of post-graduate education in New Zealand had previously made it difficult to retain radiation therapists here, Ms Coleman said in a statement.
She said availability of post-graduate education in New Zealand would also make it easier to recruit overseas radiation therapists.
There are 100 students studying radiation therapy in Wellington with 32 due to graduate at the end of next year.
"We are delighted that we can now offer these students post-graduate and research opportunities in a university environment," Ms Coleman said.
Wellington Cancer Centre radiation therapist team leader Jennifer de Ridder said it was important post-graduate courses helped provide career path progression -- important factors in retention and recruitment.
"The areas of specialisation will support the development of radiation treatment techniques in exciting new directions to the benefit of patients," she said.
Shortages of radiation therapists in New Zealand have meant delays in a number of centres for patients seeking cancer treatment.
