Otago Polytechnic

Otago Polytechnic
Te Kura Matatini ki Otago
Established	1889 Dunedin Technical College, 1966
Academic staff	477.3 FTES 2008
Students	3,342 EFTS 2011
Location	Dunedin, New Zealand
Affiliations	Public Tertiary Education Institution
Website	http://www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz

The Otago Polytechnic is a public New Zealand tertiary education institute, centred in Dunedin with campuses throughout the region of Otago including Cromwell, Wanaka and Queenstown.

Otago Polytechic focuses on skills based, technical education and occupational training, offering a range of New Zealand accredited degrees, diplomas and certificates in many areas of interest.

History

Otago Polytechnic traces its ancestry back to the Dunedin Technical School, which was established in 1889 to provide evening classes for working people. In 1909 it expanded to offer day classes for secondary school pupils. In 1914 the name was changed to the King Edward Technical College.

In 1921 the college took over the Dunedin School of Art, which had been established in 1870. The college expanded further by taking on the evening and day time education of apprentices, technicians and professionals. In 1966 the college was split into a secondary school (later re-named Logan Park High School) and Otago Polytechnic, which opened on 1 February 1966.

Further information on the history of Otago Polytechnic is available in Ian Dougherty's books: "Bricklayers and Mortarboards: A History of New Zealand Polytechnics and Institutes of Technology" (Dunmore Press, Palmerston North, 1999) and "Continuing Education of Quality: A History of Otago Polytechnic and its Predecessors 1870-2006" (Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, 2006).

Locations

Otago Polytechnic is spread over a large geographical area with campuses in Dunedin and Central Otago in Cromwell and Queenstown. The Polytechnic also carries out distance-based learning in areas ranging from Veterinary Nursing to Midwifery.

Dunedin Campuses

The Otago Polytechnic logo over the main entrance to F Block on Forth Street Campus

F Block of the Forth Street Campus

The Dunedin Campuses are sites on Forth Street and Anzac Avenue in Dunedin North, and Cumberland Street in the central city.

The Forth Street campus buildings are situated within a reasonable walking distance from the University of Otago campus and the still-in-development Forsyth Barr Stadium, close to the edge of Logan Park. The campus includes the recently moved School of Hospitality Training Restaurant (TECHnique). The Schools of Architecture, Building and Engineering and Natural Resources are located on the old Rehabilitation League site on Anzac Avenue, and the prestigious School of Art is located on Riego Street. Plans have been developed to move the Schools located on Anzac Avenue onto land currently occupied by the old School of Art buildings on Albany Street [1]. The Otago Polytechnic's main library is the Robertson Library on union Street, which it shares with the University of Otago College of Education.

In 2009, the Otago Polytechnic vacated buildings in Tennyson Street, close to Stuart Street in the central city. These buildings had previously housed the School of Hospitality, Languages and Fashion, and are owned by the Ministry of Education. Plans for these buildings are yet to be determined.

The Department of Design's Fashion section is located within the old Big Fresh supermarket building on the corner of Cumberland Street and St. Andrew Street in Central Dunedin. The School of Natural Resources also holds training activities on the city's Botanical Gardens. There are also three "Community Learning Centres" located across Dunedin - these being on George Street, at Cargill's Corner in South Dunedin, and in Mosgiel. These sites deliver free or inexpensive computer training to the public, as well as holding short computing courses.

Student Services

Otago Polytechnic offers student services both itself in conjunction with University of Otago . These include internal services such a Childcare Centre, Student Learning Centre, Disabilities Services and Student IT Services. In conjunction with Otago University, Polytech students have access to Unipol Recreation Centre and the Robertson Library. Otago Polytechnic students and staff are also allegeable for the Otago City Council’s Scarfie Rideshare scheme.

Central Otago Campuses

In Central Otago the main Otago Polytechnic campus is in Cromwell on the corner of Molyneux Ave and Erris St. Programmes on offer include long and short courses in Cookery, Business, and Horticulture. Qualifications in Ski and Snowbord instruction and Avalanche Safety are delivered from Cardrona Alpine Resort and Mount Aspiring College. There are two "Community Learning Centres" which hold computing courses as well as being able to provide career guidance and study assistance for Otago Polytechnic students - these are on the Central Otago Campus and in Queenstown. In 2009, the two Community Learning Centres in Wanaka and Alexandra were closed.

Studying at Otago Polytechnic

Otago Polytechnic offers education and training to both New Zealand and international students. As of June 2011, Otago Polytechnic has 130 full time international students. [2]

All students are members of the Otago Polytechnic Students' Association, an independent organisation run by the students and offers support, social events and clubs, access to facilities and services, and the free student magazine, Gyro [3].

Working at Otago Polytechnic

Otago Polytechnic aims to be one of the best employers in the education sector in New Zealand 2005 - 2007 Profile. All staff are required to undergo up to date training on New Zealand's Treaty of Waitangi and maintain a standard of safe work practices and environments, free from prejudice and harassment.

References

• Article about redevelopment of Otago Polytechnic Site, Otago Daily Times, accessed 21 May 2010

External links

• Otago Polytechnic Official Site
• Otago Polytechnic Students' Association
• International Education link

Coordinates: 45°51′57″S 170°31′07″E / 45.865927°S 170.518522°E / -45.865927; 170.518522