The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
Media Release
IMMEDIATE
Monday 8 December 2008
Open Polytechnic Appoints New Chief Executive
National distance learning organisation the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand has announced the appointment of Dr Caroline
Seelig as its new chief executive.
Dr Seelig is currently deputy chief executive of Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and will formally take up
her new role towards the end of January 2009.
Open Polytechnic Council Chair Douglas Langford said the organisation was fortunate to be able to appoint a new chief
executive of Dr Seelig’s calibre.
“Caroline is a highly experienced and respected senior manager in the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITP)
sector.
“In Council’s view the impressive mix of academic, managerial and personal qualities Caroline brings to her role makes
her an ideal person to lead the next phase of the Open Polytechnic’s development as a 21st century learning
organisation.”
Mr Langford said the Open Polytechnic would continue to focus on strengthening its distinctive and complementary role in
providing flexible access to vocational learning for New Zealanders.
Enrolling 30,000 mainly adult learners each year the Open Polytechnic is one of New Zealand’s largest ITPs and a major
educator of people in the national workforce.
Dr Seelig will take over from the outgoing chief executive Dr Paul Grimwood who elected to leave the organisation after
six years in the role.
ENDS