Bachelor of Technology Degree Unique

Bachelor of Technology Degree Unique – and very welcome

A long-held fascination with science has seen Raiha Tuahine take her first significant stride towards a uniquely interesting career path. What once were dreams are now ambitions and include a stint as a science technician in Antarctica.

Twenty-two year old Raiha has recently completed the two year Wintec Diploma of Technology and says her time at the institute provided her with the environment and support that ensured her success.

“Tech’s cool” she said. It’s friendly and supportive and I didn’t feel lost and overwhelmed at all. “

Raiha was a member of the student body who lobbied for accreditation for the institute’s new 3 year Bachelor of Technology degree which begins this year. While she is currently in the workforce, as a technician for NIWA (the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research), she intends returning to Wintec next year to complete the new degree which she will complete in about 18 months by virtue of her Diploma qualification. The new qualification will, she says, give her the opportunity to progress to areas of responsibility much more quickly as it provides training in how to be a good communicator, how to work well in teams, and an overall knowledge of computer applications, business processes, and environmental regulations. As well as that, there is lots of workplace experience.

Wintec chief executive Mark Flowers said the new degree is good news not only for students and graduates but for diverse regional and national industries which are increasingly dependent on skilled technicians and who are struggling to find the requisite skill sets. Industry input into the writing of the degree will ensure that our graduates will have the skills needed.

Students in the new Bachelor of Technology degree will choose to specialise in either Agritechnology, Biotechnology, Environmental Technology or Food Technology. Rosemary Wyborn, the Head of the School of Science & Primary Industries, said that there are many opportunities for employment in all of these areas, and she expects many new opportunities to emerge as new technologies are introduced. “That is why we have designed a course that provides students with adaptable skills and a focus on emerging technologies”, said Rosemary

Dr Pip Gerard, chairperson of the Science Employer Partnership Group, said the Group worked with Wintec staff to ensure the degree programme will provide graduates with the technical and workplace know-how that is needed by the major employers in the region. “We believe this degree will provide our future employees with not only have a solid science base, but also the capability to handle the demands and on-going changes that are part of the 21st century science and technology workplace”

LIC (Livestock Improvement) General Manager of Strategy and Growth, David Hemara, said the course was "long overdue.

"This is a great initiative for the Waikato given that it is the agricultural science hub of New Zealand. It's also unique because the degree concept and content was influenced by the student body and by industry input, resulting in a degree which will be highly sought-after, not only in this country but overseas. The products LIC delivers to farmers demand the highest laboratory standards and it is reassuring to see an academic body developing innovative streams of work which will produce the specialists of the future."

ENDS

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