WelTec and Whitireia announce Strategic Partnership proposal
Students and industry will both benefit from a proposal announced today by Whitireia Community Polytechnic (Whitireia)
and Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec). They propose to form a Strategic Partnership, including a Combined
Council to govern both Institutions.
Chair of both Councils, Roger Sowry, said that the proposal is innovative and a first for the tertiary education sector
in New Zealand. It will draw on the strengths of both Institutions to give students easier access to a diverse range of
programmes; create distinctive, new Centres of Excellence that work closely with industry; provide a single strategic
overview of, and stronger voice for, vocational tertiary education; and be a one-stop shop for industry in the greater
Wellington region.
“This journey started with WelTec and Whitireia exploring a range of options for working more closely together to
benefit students, the community and industry, and to support the economic development of the Wellington region,” Mr
Sowry said.
“We believe the Strategic Partnership will enable us to deepen existing relationships with industry on programme
development, industry-specific training, and research, and by being more flexible to their rapidly changing needs. This
will mean graduates are better prepared to join the workforce, have an even better chance of getting jobs and can start
contributing to the economy quickly.”
The Strategic Partnership will become a magnet for students with opportunities for specialist study through large new
Centres of Excellence, access to more resources, and greater accessibility to programmes on a number of campuses.
Staff will benefit from greater professional collaboration, working with a more diverse range of students, and more
career and development opportunities including an expanded professional development training programme.
Both Institutions will continue to be managed by their own Chief Executives and Executive teams. The proposed Strategic
Partnership includes establishment of a common Academic Board and a Shared Services Centre to provide infrastructure and
support services for the two Institutions.
“Our vision is that this Strategic Partnership will lead to a larger network of tertiary education institutions in the
Wellington region working together and continuing to grow opportunities for students and enhancing our contribution to
industry,” says Mr Sowry.
The consultation period runs until 31 July. The consultation document and feedback form is available on WelTec and
Whitireia’s websites or by calling the Institutions.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Four options for the Institutions to work together were explored, from working on joint projects through to full
integration/merger, and after consideration of the benefits and impacts of each option a Strategic Partnership was
agreed by both Councils to be the preferred approach.
Background, analysis of the four options, and a full discussion of how the Strategic Partnership will work and its
benefits are included in the consultation document sent with this media release.
The consultation document and feedback form are also available on WelTec and Whitireia websites or by calling the Chief
Executives of the Institutions.
The consultation document includes a feedback form, or comments can be made by email to studentsfirst@weltec.ac.nz or studentsfirst@whitireia.ac.nz. Feedback is due by 31 July.
ENDS