Loss of UCOL fashion degree course brings angry reaction

Models at a UCOL fashion show in 2011. Photo File /Mark Brimblecombe

The loss of the fashion degree course at UCOL this year shows that Wanganui needs stronger representation on the council of the tertiary education provider.

That's the view of Wanganui district councillor Philippa Baker-Hogan who said she was "shocked and angry" at the news which was revealed on the front page of yesterday's Chronicle.

Ms Baker-Hogan, a member of the joint taskforce formed by UCOL and the district council, said she was "deeply concerned" to read about the "demolition of education in Wanganui, especially tertiary education".

"What really heckles me is that, as a member of the taskforce which was put in place to 'ensure' UCOL and the community worked closer together, I have heard not one iota about this from anyone involved in the taskforce."

UCOL has announced it won't be offering the first year of its three-year fashion degree course for 2014, claiming interest in fashion has been low.

Ms Baker-Hogan said planning for 2014 courses had obviously been under way for some time, and the decision left the district council "once again on the back foot and with no ability to reverse this decision".

She said it would now take a lot for her to trust the intention of the taskforce which appeared to lack teeth even though its stated aim was to "determine community ambitions for sustainable relevant tertiary education in the district and identify opportunities for the future".

She would be speaking to her district council taskforce colleagues, Mayor Annette Main and councillors Helen Craig and Sue Westwood, about taking their concerns around tertiary education to Whanganui MP Chester Borrows.

"I would like us to seek his support to approach Minister of Tertiary Education Steven Joyce for stronger Wanganui representation on the UCOL council, as that seems the only real opportunity to know about and have input into the UCOL decision-making process."

Ms Baker-Hogan cited earlier cuts to courses including fine arts and glass.

UCOL said that competition from other fashion courses and a lack of jobs in the field had contributed to low interest in the course. Students wanting to study fashion had been offered places on other programmes.