Rotorua's biggest tertiary provider is slowly improving its performance when judged against other tertiary institutes in New Zealand.
The Tertiary Education Commission has released its annual performance indicators for 2012, featuring league tables for all 18 polytechs and institutes of technology in New Zealand.
Waiariki Institute of Technology ranks relativelylow against other tertiary providers in New Zealand but has improved during the past couple of years.
Performance is based on four categories. In 2012, Waiariki ranked 15th for successful completion of courses/papers, 12th for completion of qualifications, 14th for student progression to higher study, and 14th for students retained in study.
Despite the relatively low rankings, the data shows Waiariki is at a four-year high for three of the four performance indicators.
Waiariki chief executive Professor Margaret Noble said she was pleased with the improving results since 2008, and expected them to continue. "Improving student success on the courses and qualifications we offer is a big driver for us and the challenge remains to continue this trend in coming years so that more highly skilled and work-ready graduates are produced for local, regional, national, and where possible, international work forces."
The performance indicators help the Government assess tertiary providers who receive funding.
Minister of Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Steven Joyce said the data showed continued strong performance by tertiary providers.
"The changes we have made to the tertiary education sector to reward performance, instead of just getting bums on seats, are continuing to work," Mr Joyce said. "More students are staying in study ... and progressing further."
Waiariki has campuses in Rotorua, Taupo, Tokoroa and Whakatane. The strongest performing polytechs and institutes of technology for 2012 included Otago Polytechnic and Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.
