Institutions explore 'tertiary village'

A tertiary village offering greater course choices for students is being investigated for Tauranga.

The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and University of Waikato have begun a four-month study to see if enough common ground exists for them to co-operate in setting up New Zealand's first "tertiary village".

The village, based at the polytechnic's Windermere campus, would result in the organisations uniting under one banner to offer students comprehensive and seamless education.

Polytechnic chief executive Dr Alan Hampton said Catalyst Management Services had been commissioned to identify the pathway to a shared campus.

The study will also consider the advantages of linking up with other institutions, such as Maori wananga, industry training organisations and private education providers.

The Government's Tertiary Education Council supports the study because of the scheme's potential to stretch the national education dollar.

The tertiary village would avoid the duplication inherent in running separate organisations and tap into the economic benefits of sharing systems and services, such as libraries and information technology.

Dr Hampton said the two Bay institutions wanted tertiary education to become a key economic driver for Tauranga, instead of the present situation where many of the city's youths moved away.

While he had no doubt large numbers of Tauranga school leavers would continue to be attracted to big universities, the tertiary village concept would stem the brain drain and, allied with the city's lifestyle attractions, become a magnet for out-of-town students.

Its success would depend on Tauranga's ability to deliver the right programmes and offer the right facilities and support.

The study is expected to be finished by late July.

Courses could be running by 2006 if the scheme goes ahead.

- NZPA