Aoraki Polytechnic is considering closing its Dunedin campus in a possible merger with Christchurch Polytechnic and Institute of Technology.
Founded in 1987, the polytechnic describes itself as a “major provider of tertiary education and training in Mid and South Canterbury and North Otago”. It currently provides vocational courses to approximately 150 equivalent full-time students (EFTS) in Dunedin, and approximately 1050 EFTS at Aoraki in Timaru through twelve programmes in three main faculties: Beauty, Health and Education, and Media.
While the move is still in its consultation phase, the merger could be completed in a matter of months.
Alex Cabrera, Aoraki Polytechnic’s chief executive officer said he does not “want to speculate on programmes or any other aspects of Aoraki operation” because they are “only part way through an on-going process”. Cabrera said “most of the specific impacts are yet to be explored and no decisions have yet been made”.
Cabrera said he is aware of the difficulties that come with such a move, and “appreciates that this may be somewhat unsettling for all staff”. Cabrera said he “would like to thank them for their patience and on-going professionalism”.
Regarding students, Cabrera said they need to “be assured” that Aoraki’s “commitment to [students], and to future Aoraki learners, remains the same, no matter how we are structured or what the organisation is called”.
Cabrera said students can continue to enrol with either Aoraki or CPIT “with full confidence that their education remains our highest priority and, importantly, your Aoraki qualification will continue to be recognised here and overseas”.
As with the closure of any education provider, there are fears that current students will be left with nowhere to complete their studies.
Dom Schumacher, who is currently studying towards a certificate in Film and Television, says students “don’t really know too much” about the changes.
“CPIT’s main flagstaff is broadcasting. As a film and television student, I’m pretty worried that if [CPIT] take over, it’s unlikely our course will remain.”
If this were to occur, “Dunedin would lose a pretty good course,” said Schumacher. “There’s no other facility, aside from Auckland or Wellington, where we can complete that.”
Otago Polytechnic chief executive, Phil Ker, wanted to reassure students who lose their campus that they are willing to stand in.
“Otago Polytechnic would be willing to take over all current programmes, at least for 2016, subject to minimum enrolment thresholds being met to ensure financially and educationally viable delivery at the least,” said Ker.
Asked about his views on the merger, Ker said Otago Polytechnic is “not party to the decision”, so his view could only “be speculation”.
Rory McCourt, the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA) president, has spoken out against the move. “As we’ve learnt from previous mergers: everyone’s very big on promises at the start, it’s keeping them that counts,” said McCourt.
“With any merger there are dangers and opportunities. If the merger is done right — genuinely listening to students, staff and the community — then it has the potential to improve the quality and scope of tertiary provision in the South Island,” he said.
However, McCourt said $60 million has been cut from regional polytechnics over the last five years. “This is a shotgun wedding, and it won’t fix the fact that the government has been shafting our polytechnics.”
Aoraki students have expressed their interest in setting up a students’ association on campus, which McCourt was “delighted to hear”.
“We are happy to support them to achieve that, so that Aoraki students have a real voice in any merger and that voice is heard loud and clear.”