Polytechnic programme in demand with US students

Tai Poutini Polytechnic Media Release

29 September 2015

Polytechnic programme in demand with US students

Demand is high for the next planned venture between Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) and a top United States business school.

Last summer, TPP hosted 14 students from the prestigious Wharton Business School to take part in a New Zealand “Coast-to-Coast” themed leadership training course. Every year as part of their training, Wharton students take part in a series of “ventures” in locations all around the world.

Director Experiential Leadership Centre Dave Ritchie says the venture was so successful that 110 Wharton students have already joined the waitlist for the next TPP-led course.

“We have developed a great working relationship with Wharton Business School and they tell us that our NZ-based venture has received more interest from students than any other on offer.

“It is great to know that we are making an impact on this globally recognised business education provider. We will continue to develop our partnership and welcome more Wharton students to New Zealand.”

The details of the next venture are still being finalised, however Dave says that the success of the first programme and the subsequent demand for more means New Zealand could become a permanent training ground for Wharton students.

Wharton Business School is consistently ranked in the top three in the United States, alongside Harvard and Booth. Dave says securing the international partnership offers benefits for the Polytechnic both in terms of delivering the training programme and creating networks for the TPP staff and students involved.

“Hosting last year’s inaugural leadership venture here in New Zealand was in line with TPP’s International Strategy and contributed to the Government’s tertiary education priority of increasing links with our international partners. We are looking forward to an ongoing partnership with Wharton in the future.”

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