Kiwi consultancy lands Bahraini education contract

International education consulting agency New Zealand Polytechnics International New Zealand (PINZ) has won a landmark multi-million dollar contract in Bahrain, Tertiary Education Minister Michael Cullen and Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard announced today.

PINZ - which is owned by government tertiary institutions across New Zealand - will lead the development and implementation of the new Polytechnic of Bahrain - in what is the largest education contract won by New Zealand to-date in the Middle East.

"This significant contract reflects New Zealand’s strong reputation as a high-quality education service provider in Bahrain. It is a huge fillip to the kiwi international education industry, and demonstrates that New Zealand is regarded as having world-leading services in the field of technical and vocational education and training," Trevor Mallard said.

"It is also great to see that work by our government has paid off. PINZ was part of the delegation of education service providers that I took to the Middle East, including Bahrain in 2005. Bahraini officials came here the following year, and were hosted by PINZ and NZTE early this year, as they undertook due diligence for the polytechnic contract."

"In addition to support from NZTE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education have also helped pave the way for this contract. Winning the project highlights how a number of institutions and agencies in the international education sector can work together to take our education expertise to the world," Dr Cullen said.

"This is an excellent example of one of the four key outcomes identified in the government’s International Education Agenda, which is to strengthen domestic education providers, academically and financially, through international linkages.

"The agenda, which will be released for discussion on 18 April, supports a strategic approach by all parties involved in international education. The Gulf states are a region the government has focused its education diplomacy activities on, including the location of an education attache in the region," Dr Cullen said.

Background information follows.

About Polytechnics International New Zealand

Polytechnics International New Zealand or PINZ has been an international education consulting agency for over 10 years. PINZ is owned, through shareholders agreements, by a consortium of the government tertiary training institutions in New Zealand, including institutes of technology and polytechnics, teacher training institutions, and universities.

PINZ specialises in technical vocational education and training, tertiary and higher education, secondary education, basic education, human resource and social sector development, and capacity building. It has successfully delivered over 150 projects in education in over 30 countries. PINZ is currently managing projects in the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, the Philippines, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, Azerbaijan, the Cook Islands, and a Pacific regional project.

The Bahraini project - the creation of a new Polytecnic

The three-phased project will commence in September 2007 with an initial concept development and lead to the establishment of pilot programmes for the polytechnic during the first year. It will result in the establishment and operation of a new national polytechnic institution by September 2008.

PINZ will have a team based in Bahrain and in the latter implementation phase of the project will use the expertise of its member institutions to create courses and programmes designed to meet the needs of Bahraini industry and the demands of Bahraini students.

PINZ will work with their counterparts in Bahrain to develop all aspects of the new national polytechnic. This will include development of curriculum, programme design, teaching and learning aids, establishing links with Bahrain industry, recruitment and instructor training. They will also provide advice on infrastructure requirements and design, marketing, finance, and the establishment of all polytechnic administrative and governance structures.

ENDS

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