Forum's `listen and learn' session helps polytechnic plan future needs | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

Aoraki Polytechnic has gained
"insightful'' feedback from a
leaders' forum at its Oamaru
campus.

Fifty people from local
businesses and sectors including
wine-making, motor trades and
literacy took part in the event
last week. It was the first the
polytechnic had held at the
campus.

Chief executive Kay Nelson
said it was designed to allow
polytechnic representatives to
"listen and learn'', as well as
outlining its new vision.

She said the latter had two
key components _ being the
tertiary education provider of
choice for the region, and
contributing to its development.

"In order to implement the
vision, it is important for the
polytechnic to have a clear
understanding of what the
community requires.''

Oamaru campus manager Liz
Smillie said she was impressed
with the "very insightful,
constructive and imaginative
feedback and suggestions
generated'' at the forum.

The leaders contributed to
brainstorming sessions in a
workshop format, she said.

Community engagement with
the polytechnic helped both
parties ensure the institution
could provide courses relevant to
the region's economic needs, Ms
Smillie said.

The forum offered an
opportunity for North Otago
leaders to meet the senior
managers who head the
polytechnic's five schools: health
and education; agriculture and
technology; creative technology,
IT and journalism; adventure

 

tourism, sport and business; and
hospitality, hair and beauty.

Ms Smillie said the Oamaru
campus would now analyse input

 

from the forum and plot a course
that would help to "meet the
needs of the community
directly''.