Polytechnic purchases international colleges

Release: IMMEDIATE

Polytechnic purchases international colleges

Aoraki Polytechnic has purchased the long-standing Timaru institutions Aoraki International College (AIC) and the Aoraki English Language College in a move that polytechnic chief executive Kay Nelson describes as an “exciting opportunity to increase the number of International students coming to Timaru to study”.

Ms Nelson announced the acquisition last week saying the polytechnic was delighted to be involved in a transition that would see the two long-established providers of international education join the polytechnic’s already successful internationally-applied programmes.

“By adding the experience of Aoraki Polytechnic as a provider of quality and relevant education to the work of the existing colleges we believe we will provide an attractive option to the International student market,” Ms Nelson said.

She said the polytechnic was keen to increase its offering to International students and would be reviewing the international market’s requirements and providing new and existing programmes to meet that market. Much of that work would be in partnership with overseas educational providers.

“I believe many of our quality programmes provide an exciting opportunity to international students to undertake study in Timaru. I see programmes such as our respected outdoor education and hospitality programmes appealing to overseas students.”

Aoraki Polytechnic’s success in catering for the international student market, which has seen many overseas students take up careers in their own countries and elsewhere around the world, joins an impressive record of international achievement by the international colleges.

Aoraki International College director Adrian Kerr said that in the 12 years since the college was formed in 1998 around 2000 international students had come through, with the bulk through the English Language School.

“Students come for periods as short as two weeks or as long as a year,” Mr Kerr said.

“The average study period has been 12 weeks for students of English language and most students for Aoraki Polytechnic come for one year. In that time many students have studied English Language before moving to Aoraki Polytechnic,” he said.

Mr Kerr said he was pleased that after 11 years operating the business he could pass it on to Aoraki Polytechnic to allow the business to grow and meet its full potential.

Aoraki Polytechnic operations manager Ben Lee said the structure of the colleges would be assimilated into Aoraki Polytechnic’s general operations.

“Aoraki Polytechnic has agreed to take over the entire operation of AIC and over the next three months will be working to transition the operation of the AIC business to the polytechnic.

“We will be working with the present owner of AIC Adrian Kerr to ensure this is a smooth transition for everyone,” Mr Lee said.

ENDS

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