What we do

Tertiary education and research

Tertiary Partnership

In 2006 the University of Waikato and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic signed a deed of co-operation, designed to strengthen their commitment to work together to provide high quality tertiary education and research in the region. This is a unique model in New Zealand, with the two institutions sharing facilities and undertaking joint strategic planning, delivery, support and promotion of academic programmes. Their commitment to the region was cemented with the opening of a new $4.6 million building at the polytechnic’s Windermere campus in early 2010, partly funded by the Tertiary Education Commission.

The partnership between the two organisations provides significant benefits to the social, economic and environmental growth of Tauranga and surrounding areas by offering a full range of tertiary education options, from national certificates to degrees and post-graduate degrees. In addition, the partnership offers short courses across multiple industry sectors which can be tailored to meet business needs, including up-skilling staff, diversifying into new areas or by flexible delivery methods.

Both the university and the polytechnic deserve credit for their willingness to work together to meet the Bay of Plenty’s tertiary needs. It is expected that as enrolments grow, the partnership will also develop to meet demand. Priority One works closely with both organisations to obtain input from key industry sectors to inform current and future tertiary provision in the sub-region. Rapidly increasing enrolment numbers matched by an increase in seamless diplomas and degrees will ultimately see Tauranga grow to become a tertiary city of significance. This will add to our strength as a tertiary destination for an increasing number of young and mature students and provide a strong platform for business growth through research and development capability.

Tertiary Needs Analysis

In late 2009 Priority One, the University of Waikato and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic commissioned a study to identify sub-regional tertiary and research needs over the next ten years. The study had a particular focus on science and research, as well as an understanding of the drivers of future needs based on knowledge of population growth, demographic patterns and key business sectors.

The study found that there were opportunities for higher level tertiary training and research in a number of sectors that would strengthen the region’s competitive advantages. These included science based studies (including food processing, horticulture, aquaculture and powder metallurgy), logistics and supply chain management, information and communications technology, health and tourism.

A key aspect of the study’s findings was the importance of the clustering of training and research into key industry sectors to develop centres of excellence. Not only will the internationally recognised research centres attract global talent, they will also position Tauranga as a world leader in these areas of research and encourage companies to move to the Bay to access these new technologies.

The study recommended stronger marketing of local tertiary offerings to secondary school students as well as work to smooth the transition from school to tertiary study. The development of a dedicated website to act as a one-stop-shop for all tertiary programmes delivered locally was highlighted. There was also a strong focus on increased leadership training within business and the attraction of international students as an important ‘export’ market.

The Tertiary Needs Analysis provides the evidence base to support the planning and investment decisions of stakeholders with regard to tertiary education and science capability in the sub-region. Ultimately it will maximise the contribution tertiary education and research can make to the economy by providing robust projections of future need and an analysis of options to meet these.

WaikatoLink

WaikatoLink Limited is the commercialisation and technology transfer company of the University of Waikato. It was founded to maximise the economic potential of the university's intellectual property and to bridge the gap between academic research and the realisation of technology potential. Commercialisation facilitates industry and business access to university technologies, the expansion of research opportunities for the university and increased opportunities to form mutually beneficial industry partnerships and collaborations. Situated at the Waikato Innovation Park in Hamilton, WaikatoLink seeks to enhance the linkages between the university and innovative and entrepreneurial organisations. For further information, visit www.waikatolink.co.nz.

Priority One Management Scholarship

Each year Priority One, in partnership with University of Waikato, offers a postgraduate scholarship in executive business education. To be eligible, applicants need to be a member of Priority One or the employee of a member company. The post graduate diploma in management studies is taken part time over two years, providing an introduction to the key disciplines in management. The programme has a strong practical focus with participants working on real problems in the workplace, meaning participants and employers get immediate payback. Classes are held every second Saturday in Tauranga. The scholarship covers half the fees of the diploma. For further information, email annie@priorityone.co.nz.