Education agreement refreshes commitment

Education agreement refreshes commitment

Te Puna Matauranga o Whanganui and UCOL have signed an Accord refreshing their commitment to work alongside each other to improve education outcomes for Māori within the Whanganui region.

The Accord, signed by UCOL Chair Malcolm Inglis and Te Puna Chair John Maihi, aims to bring about initiatives and changes relevant to the needs and aspirations of students and whānau, as well as to the goals of iwi education plan Nga Kai o te Puku Tupuna and the Whanganui Iwi education Strategy 2010-2025.

UCOL Chair Malcolm Inglis welcomed the opportunity to renew UCOL’s commitment to the Accord and said he is fully behind initiatives that contribute to the furthering of tertiary education provision for Māori students in Whanganui.

“Both Te Puna and UCOL have educational initiatives underway and this re-signing paves the way to continue coming together for collaborative action,” he says. “We share common goals so it makes sense for us to share the information, support and resources required to enable us to directly and positively influence outcomes for learners.”

Te Puna have been involved in curriculum development for the proposed new Bachelor of Design and Arts degree at Whanganui UCOL in order to make sure the programme truly belongs to the Whanganui region.

Te Puna Chair John Maihi says facilitating education options for Māori people and advancing Māori educational achievement and retention rates are key Whanganui iwi aspirations. “Education is the key to a successful future for our people, and I look forward to building on our relationship with UCOL for the advancement of Māori educational aspirations.”

ENDS

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