Otago Polytech to host up to 90 Japanese students annually

Media Release – Otago Polytechnic

For immediate release, Friday 18 March

Otago Polytechnic to host up to 90 Japanese students annually

A delegation from Japan’s Kanazawa Technical College have arrived for a five day visit to Otago Polytechnic to hold discussions with staff and to discuss the proposal to have as many as 90 Japanese engineering students coming every year to study at Otago Polytechnic from 2020.

“Otago Polytechnic and Kanazawa Technical College have enjoyed a mutually beneficial agreement for more than ten years, hosting third year engineering students in small numbers. However, we are delighted to be a significant part of their new engineering programme, which involves taking up to 90 third year students by 2020 and every year thereafter. This partnership will have far reaching economic benefits for Otago Polytechnic, and also for the wider Dunedin community,” says Mike Waddell, Otago Polytechnic Director Communications.

Situated on the west coast of the main Japanese island of Honshu, Kanazawa Technical College is a Kosen or Technical College. Kanazawa students undertake five years of schooling, with the first three years providing the same level of schooling as a traditional high school but studying technical subjects (such as engineering) instead. Years four and five are approximately equivalent to tertiary study at undergraduate degree level.

For the past ten years, 15 to 20 Kanazawa third year students have come to Otago Polytechnic to continue their engineering studies and build their English language skills through formal learning and living in homestay accommodation.

The new Kanazawa programme is expected to commence in 2018 and will involve students living in a fully residential campus for their first and second years in Japan before travelling to New Zealand for their third year to study English and Engineering. At the end of that year, studying at Otago Polytechnic they will receive a Certificate in English and Engineering.

“This is a very important visit by KTC as we will be discussing appropriate living and learning environments, as well as developing the curriculum,” says Mr Waddell.

Visiting staff from KTC include the Vice President and Director of International Programmes, the Dean of Academic Affairs and the Heads of their three engineering departments.

ENDS

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