Otago Polytechnic celebrates growth

Media Release from Otago Polytechnic

December 3 2010

Otago Polytechnic celebrates growth with move to new Queenstown campus

The Otago Polytechnic celebrated the opening of its new Queenstown campus yesterday (Thursday December 2).

The Polytechnic is now in larger premises in Camp Street , central Queenstown, and regional manager Jean Tilleyshort said the move was “all positive”.

“Our products and services, and the level of interest they’ve generated from students, has grown so much we simply outgrew where we were before,” she said.

“We’re delivering programmes and products that enable a wide range of students to stay where they live and still study, and that’s the future of study in our region.”

Ms Tilleyshort said the move reflected increased numbers of students in computing and business administration programmes, midwifery, great interest and numbers in sustainable practice programmes, and strong numbers in art classes.

“ Sustainable practice in particular has really taken off in Queenstown, with about 40 businesses going through programmes.

“Next year we’ll have students doing the graduate Diploma in Sustainable Practice, graduates from Queenstown Resort College completing their Bachelor of Applied Management, and we’ll be launching the Xcellerate programme with the Chamber of Commerce.

“The Xcellerate programme will be run by the Otago Chamber in association with the Queenstown Chamber, and will include a Diploma in Business Management and a Diploma in Human Resources Management.

Queenstown Resort College CEO Charlie Phillips said the expansion by Otago Polytechnic would really help the StudyQueenstown.com objective of making Queenstown a serious study destination.

“It’s great for students of all background to be able to complete a degree right here in Queenstown,” he said.

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