Wananga to launch degree and post-grad programmes

4.00pm

New Zealand's largest tertiary education provider, Te Wananga o Aotearoa, is to launch a degree and post-graduate qualifications.

The announcement of the new qualifications comes after the Te Awamutu-based institute posted a $33 million profit for last year.

The wananga has struck a deal with Curtin University of Technology in Perth, which will provide degree programmes on-line.

The degrees will be available for students after they have been approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

The wananga will pay for 20 of its staff to enrol in masters programmes this year. This year's focus will be on expanding post-graduate studies.

Chief executive Rongo Wetere said the institute's strong financial position reflected good management and was a result of high enrolments.

Last year 63,387 students had enrolled at the wananga, up from 44,158 in 2002.

But Acting Associate Education Minister Margaret Wilson said the $33 million surplus was higher than the Government would normally expect to see from a tertiary institute.

She has asked the tertiary advisory monitoring unit (Tamu) for a report on future capital plans to ensure the surplus was used to further educational goals.

"The Government has been conscious of a range of issues associated with major growth at the wananga. That is the reason why it appointed a development adviser to assist the council in developing appropriate responses and plans."

The Government has capped enrolments at the wananga to ensure the growth in student numbers would not affect the quality of education.

Dr Wetere said this year the wananga would subsidise the cost of 1500 equivalent fulltime students (EFTS) so it would not have to downscale.

"It will depress our overall result, but the government cap means we would be 3000 EFTS down."

The wananga had an 85 per cent retention rate of students and a 65 per cent rate of course completions in 2003.

An audit last year recommended the institute tighten contracts with other education providers, improve document control, internal audits and quality management and improve the enrolment process.

Dr Wetere said the wananga had received a clean audit.

- NZPA