MIT Lecturer Gains Prestigious PR Accreditation

08 January 2007

MIT Lecturer Gains Prestigious PR Accreditation

Manukau Institute of Technology’s Graeme Sterne has achieved the rare distinction of being the only academic to gain a prestigious accreditation for public relations practitioners in 2006.

Mt Eden resident Graeme, a senior lecturer at MIT’s School of Communication Studies, is one of only 14 people to receive the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) qualification from the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ).

The internationally recognised accreditation certifies that a public relations practitioner is both experienced and has a proven high level of professional knowledge.

Generally only those actively working as public relations practitioners gain the accreditation, says Graeme. “The accreditation is aimed at those with hands-on experience practicing PR. Very few academics pursue the accreditation as they are often too busy teaching or don’t think it applies to them.”

However, Graeme believes the APR qualification is essential to his work as a public relations lecturer. “It is vital to remain up-to-date with current developments in the industry and to bring that industry flavour into the classroom.”

Gaining the accreditation was a gruelling six-month process involving lectures, assignments based on practical experiences and a three-hour written examination. It culminated in an oral exam with a panel of top practitioners.

To obtain the qualification, Graeme drew on his years of experience practicing public relations, his current role as chair of PRINZ’s Research Committee and his research for the PhD he is writing on perceptions of PR in New Zealand.

Boasting a lecturer with the APR qualification will enable MIT’s School of Communication Studies to further enhance the combination of theory and practical work in its PR programmes, says head of school Lynne Trenwith.

“Graeme gaining this prestigious qualification is excellent for the school. This accreditation is well respected in the industry. Degree and diploma students benefit from real world industry experience being brought into the classroom and the contact with senior practitioners as mentors.”

Before joining MIT as a lecturer in 2002, Graeme was public relations director at World Vision.

As present chair of PRINZ’s Research Committee, he is a member of the institute’s national executive. He has played a leading role in many of its research projects over the past year, including the PRINZ 2006 Trends Survey.

The MIT School of Communication Studies offers an extensive range of certificate, diploma and degree-level communications programmes, including the MIT Bachelor of Applied Communication.

About MIT:

Manukau Institute of Technology is one New Zealand’s largest polytechnics. It offers 140 formal programmes at degree, diploma and certificate level to 6891 equivalent full time students. Established in 1970 as the country’s first purpose built polytechnic, MIT delivers vocational training. With a workforce of 900, MIT is one of the biggest employers in the Counties Manukau region. Manukau City is New Zealand’s fastest growing metropolis.

ENDS

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