Waiariki joins Bay education partnership

FILE

Waiariki Institute of Technology has joined the Bay of Plenty Tertiary Education Partnership in what is being described as a new era of educational collaboration.

The tertiary partnership, which also includes Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and the University of Waikato, provides a collaborative approach to tertiary education provision in the Bay of Plenty.

The first of its kind to be established in New Zealand, the tertiary partnership provides increased local tertiary education options and education in the areas identified, for the region to achieve long-term sustained growth.

Vice-chancellor of the University of Waikato and chair of the tertiary partnership executive Professor Roy Crawford was delighted Waiariki had joined the partnership. "This enhances our ability to provide leadership in the creation of a seamless tertiary education system in New Zealand," he said.

Waiariki already works closely with each of the other three institutions on a number of teaching and research projects.

The tertiary partnership will strengthen these initiatives as well as provide educational opportunities for Bay of Plenty people in a bid to meet the needs of a rapidly growing region.

There are 271,248 people in the Bay of Plenty now, estimated to reach 403,000 by 2051, of which the highest growth will be young Maori.

Government data shows the region lags well behind the national average of 14.2 per cent of people who have a bachelor degree qualifications or higher. As a result, skill shortages will significantly impact the region's ability to support its own economic growth.

Waiariki chief executive Professor Margaret Noble believed the strength in working collaboratively in knowledge sharing, initiatives, research and other projects will produce a "whole of Bay of Plenty focus" and support for the wider region.

"By collaborating we can raise the profile of Bay of Plenty-wide tertiary education and with the help of our stakeholders we can shape the way to go forward and improve access to learning," Ms Noble said.