Green Light For Amalgamation Proposal

28 July 2004

Green Light For Amalgamation Proposal

The University of Auckland and the Auckland College of Education (ACE) have received the green light from Government to amalgamate, and form a Faculty of Education.

The two institutions welcomed the announcement today by Minister of Education Hon Trevor Mallard and Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary) Hon Steve Maharey that the Governor General had signed an Order in Council giving effect to the amalgamation. The amalgamation will take place on 1 September 2004.

The new Faculty of Education will be based primarily at the College’s campus in Epsom. The Principal of the College, Dr John Langley, will be Dean of the new Faculty.

The University’s Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Raewyn Dalziel, and Dr Langley said the new entity would enhance teaching education and research in New Zealand.

“The vision for the Faculty is that it becomes recognised nationally and internationally as New Zealand’s leading provider of professional education and educational research. It will achieve this goal through excellent programmes of teaching and research that are inclusive, innovative, and focused on results. The programmes will also advance educational knowledge, improve educational practice and support communities of interest.

“Amalgamation was mutually agreed by our two organisations to create the best possible teachers and ultimately lead to a better deal for New Zealand school children.

“In particular, it is critically important to bolster the teaching workforce as it tackles the number one education priority: to improve educational outcomes for the 20% of students who underachieve within the school system,” they said.

The Faculty will offer academic programmes in teacher education, the liberal arts and social work. It is anticipated that the introduction of new academic programmes will span a two-year period from the date of amalgamation.

For the remainder of the 2004 academic year, programmes for the College’s 3,140 (equivalent fulltime) students and the University’s 694 (equivalent fulltime) School of Education students will remain as they are.

ENDS

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