Toi Ohomai looks to cut up to 30 courses

Toi Ohomai graduate Eric Hollis can understand the proposed cut of the Masters of Teaching programme he attended. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

More than 30 courses could be cut at Toi Ohomai over the next three years as part of a review which would also see new programmes investigated.

A memo received by the Toi Ohomai Open Council at its February meeting, and obtained by the Rotorua Daily Post under the Official Information Act, reveals which courses are earmarked for removal, redevelopment and development.

The list covers courses delivered at all Toi Ohomai campuses.

At-risk courses include some tourism certificates, diplomas and bachelors, the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education te reo, trades such as welding and automotive engineering, and language certificates including a certificate in the English language and Te Reo for Beginners.

The memo summarises a Programme Portfolio Analysis which Toi Ohomai would not release citing commercial sensitivity.

The memo said the analysis showed delivery needed to be reviewed to "align it more closely with the institution's strategic intent, particularly in terms of meeting stakeholder needs and sustainable delivery".

Toi Ohomai chief executive Dr Leon Fourie said one aim of the review was removing obsolete courses left by Waiariki, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and old Toi Ohomai qualifications no longer funded through government subsidies.

Fourie said decisions were made based on several measures including sustainability, student numbers and fees, innovation and more.

The memo, prepared by the executive dean of teaching, learning and research Dr Amanda Torr, notes data about specific programmes may not be completely reliable because some may be about to be replaced, or being taught out.

The analysis indicates programmes and programme clusters that need to be investigated more closely.

Toi Ohomai Institue of Technology has received a Programme Portfolio Analysis. PHOTO/FILE

Fourie said the next step in the process would be for the programmes performing poorly to be investigated by the faculty delivering them. Those recommendations would be considered by a management group.

There are 33 programmes and clusters recommended to be reviewed for divestment or removal.

Among them is the Masters of Teaching, a course Eric Hollis became the first male to graduate from in March.

Hollis said the loss of that programme would be understandable.

"It was only attended by a small number, maybe six. That was always going to put a course under threat."

Hollis said the strength of the programme at Toi Ohomai was that it was connected to the community. He said there was also a focus on biculturalism.

"It gives an understanding of what it means to be Maori and how I, as a Pakeha, can begin to approach honouring tikanga practices.

"I've completely transformed my whole approach to working with Maori families."

The memo also recommends 25 programmes be reviewed and identifies 12 programmes which should be investigated for "future development to meet the needs of the region".

Emire Khan-Malak, the president of Toi Ohomai's student association, Student Pulse, said the association recognised the programmes highlighted for removal were redundant because they had been superseded.

"There are a number of qualifications that have been highlighted for review that lots of students are enrolled in ... We hope that students will have representation when those processes occurs."

Khan-Malak said she was excited to see new qualifications proposed, particularly the Masters of Nursing.

"We have many alumni working in hospitals and aged care who travel out of town to further their studies. Having a locally based option will make further studies so much easier."

Tertiary Education Commission chief executive Tim Fowler said Toi Ohomai, like other polytechnics, was looking for new ways to deliver education and remain relevant and financially stable.

"Some institutes of technology and polytechnics need to update their delivery models or facilities to be relevant to modern workplaces, while others need to be more accessible to people in work wanting to upskill or retrain.

"Programmes and qualifications need to be relevant to the communities they serve, so the commission welcomes any moves by ITPs to develop their programme offering."

Cathy Cooney, the Toi Ohomai council chairwoman, said she did not have anything further to add to Fourie's comments.

Waiariki MP Tamati Coffey opposed the creation of Toi Ohomai through the merging of Waiariki and Bay of Plenty polytechnics and is concerned about the programme analysis.

"While I welcome potential for courses in [new] areas ... one could look at the list's review and 'divestment' areas, and see te reo, foundation skills, tourism and hospitality qualifications under the grill, and wonder why when we live in Aotearoa's Maori tourism capital."

Coffey said he could understand streamlining and modernising qualifications but said there was "growing region-wide speculation over Toi Ohomai's future".

"I would encourage the institute's new senior leadership to front foot local concern and hold a public meeting that clearly explains what they've done thus far to meet promises made and an insight into plans such as this and their future ambitions."

The Tertiary Education Union did not respond to requests for comment.