Leading Scholar Appointed to Lead Top Tertiary Institute

Leading Scholar Appointed to Lead Top Performing Tertiary Institute in Tauranga
Press Release – Bethlehem Tertiary Institute – (BTI)

4 August 2017
For Immediate Release

Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (BTI) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Andrew Butcher to the role of CEO and Dean with effect from 4th December 2017.

Currently leading the research and evaluation team at the Ministry of Justice and Chairman of International Students of New Zealand, a charity, Dr Butcher was previously Director, Research and Policy at the Asia New Zealand Foundation and President of the Population Association of New Zealand, Dr Butcher has experience of leading organisations through significant periods of growth. He brings to BTI a prolific research publication record of over 80 articles and book chapters, success in fundraising, cross-cultural experience and has extensive networks in the education sector and Christian ministries. He has held visiting fellowships at Otago, Victoria University of Wellington, Massey and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, and was invited onto the International Visitor Leadership Program at the US State Department and the Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering in Malaysia. Dr Butcher has tertiary teaching experience and a clear understanding of drivers in the tertiary education sector. His research focuses on the church in New Zealand, foreign policy, pastoral care of international students, and migration.

Dr Butcher holds PhD in Sociology, degrees in Criminology and History, and he has almost completed a Bachelor of Theology. He has served as a member of several research advisory boards, conference organising committees and the departmental review panel for Otago University’s Department of Theology and Religion. Dr Butcher is on the preaching team at The Anchor Church in Whitby, Wellington and says “I am committed to faith seeking understanding through prayer, Scripture, scholarship, teaching and leadership. I am excited by this opportunity and look forward to leading a committed team at BTI.“

Based in Tauranga, BTI delivers a range of NZQA accredited faith-informed certificates, diplomas and degree programmes in Career Preparation, Professional Practice, Teaching (Primary and Early Childhood), Counselling, Family Support and Social Work, and is the only non-university to offer a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary). NZQA recognises BTI as a category one provider (highly confident in educational performance and highly confident in self-assessment), the highest accolade bestowed upon tertiary providers by NZQA as a measure of quality education.

Dr David Tweed, Chair of BTI’s Board of Directors says of the appointment, ‘Dr Butcher is joining an exceptionally motivated, passionate team led by the current Dean Dr Andrew Smith and, as Directors, we firmly believe that BTI will continue to ‘punch above its weight’ with this next chapter of leadership.”

Notes for Editors: Established in 1993, Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (BTI) is a not-for-profit private tertiary provider, wholly owned by the Christian Education trust and a member of Quality Tertiary Institutions (QTI). BTI currently serves over 400 students nationally, with approximately 80% of students choosing to study at a distance or by mixed mode delivery.

ENDS

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