Category: Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

Source: Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

Posted on 25 October 2023

Four Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga Academic Staff Members, Dr Melissa McMinn (Initial Teacher Education), Dr Mathew Thomas (Engineering), Dr Waireti Roestenburg (Social Health & Wellbeing), and Dr Indu Peiris (Management and Economics) were recently promoted to the prominent position of Principal Academic Staff Member.  

Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga Executive Director Alan Cadwallader congratulated kaimahi (staff) on their promotions in this year’s formal Academic Staff Member promotion round.  

“Academic promotions recognise the wealth of skills, knowledge, experience, and expertise that our valued academic staff members bring to our organisation.  I congratulate everyone promoted in this year’s promotion round, and especially recognise those staff who have attained the level of Principal Academic Staff Member.” 

The distance learning specialist organisation, which is a business division of Te Pūkenga, also celebrated a further 17 Academic Staff Members who were promoted to Senior Academic Staff Members during the same promotions round including Josiah Koh, Richard Sheehan, Teresa Hall, Dana Brown, Lisa Buck, Thomas Vazhathara, Sarah Hassall, Cherie Toatoa, Dr John Allen, Kate Caie, Chris McKenzie, Alison Holleyoak, Colin Bloomfield, Renu Joshi, Puvana Natanasabapathy, Deborah Neilson, and Jude Douglas.  

Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga Acting Executive Director Learning Delivery, and Chair of this year’s evaluation panel, Andrew McCulloch, says this year’s promotion round saw an increase in the number of strong applicants and this “demonstrates a growing commitment to academic excellence and academic leadership within our organisation.”   

Principal Academic Staff Member is the most senior title an academic staff member can hold at Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga. 

“Applicants must exhibit thought leadership in their area of specialty and be widely recognised as leaders in their field of study and teaching practice, both within New Zealand and ideally at an international level. Their reputation should extend beyond academia, reflecting their exceptional influence and contributions,” says Andrew.  

Principal Academic Staff Member Dr Indu Peiris acknowledged the stimulating and fulfilling work environment Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga offers, “The flexibility in work arrangements coupled with its supportive culture makes our organisation an outstanding place to develop professionally. Collaborating with my team and the leadership group is both a pleasure and a source of constant inspiration.”  

Dr Indu Peiris

He says he is looking forward to working in the wider Te Pūkenga network to expand research collaboration and teaching opportunities. 

Andrew says, Indu, who has a PhD in International Entrepreneurship, is a leading researcher in Open Polytechnic’s Business Management team, “His impact as an academic extends beyond our organisation, as he actively collaborates in his research with industry partners, community organisations, and policymakers.”  

Principal Academic Staff Member Dr Mathew Thomas says he too is grateful to have Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga as his employer, “I firmly believe that my growth and development have been shaped and refined through the guidance and collaboration of my colleagues and managers. Promotions are not solitary achievements, they result from the combined support of the organisation and the opportunities provided to employees, fostering self-growth.”    

 

Dr Mathew  Thomas

Mathew says he is looking forward to working on additional projects within the organisation.  

Andrew says, Mathew’s promotion highlights his dedication to professional growth, strong industry engagement, and nationally recognised expertise. “As one of the four provider representatives on The Vocational Engineering Education New Zealand (VEENZ) Board, Mathew’s influence and leadership make a significant impact in shaping the future of engineering education in Aotearoa NZ.”  

Principal Academic Staff Member Dr Melissa McMinn says it is a privilege to be promoted and have the work she has done throughout her career recognised in this way.   

Dr Melissa McMinn

She says she finds inspiration at Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga through her work and her team “I work in an amazing team and help facilitate future teachers.  As a part of the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) team, I’m looking forward to the on-going development of the new suite of ITE programmes, launched this year.” 

Andrew says Melissa’s promotion “celebrates her contribution, as part of the Initial Teacher Education Team at Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga, for research excellence and significant impact on teacher education. With a Master of Education and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Mathematics and Science Education, Melissa has achieved the esteemed status of Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and is recognised for outstanding teaching and learning support in higher education.”  

Principal Academic Staff Member Dr Waireti Roestenburg (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, Ngāti Pāhauwera, Rongomai Wahine, Ngāpuhi nui tōnu, Dutch, Irish, English, Scottish) considered achievements that have led to her promotion.  

Dr Waireti  Roestenburg

These include graduating with a PhD of Philosophy in Psychology in which Māori/Indigenous Cycologies are re-emerged, increasingly being recognised as a subject matter expert in the areas of Māori and Indigenous mental illness/wellness, rongoā mauri, and healing; all while fulfilling a promise to heal, revitalise and reinstate the mana of her past, present and future Ancestors, says Waireti. 
 
“Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga has provided an environment that has enabled me to thrive, supported me to complete my doctoral research and re-emerge knowledge that accords with, and extends the presence, power and healing authority of our past and ongoing Ancestors.”  

“While my research informs the courses I teach, the work goes far beyond vocational outcomes,” says Waireti. 

Andrew says, Waireti is leading the way in her field of research, “With a deep understanding of Mātauranga Māori, her blend of academic and indigenous wisdom focuses on reconnecting people to their indigenous roots and championing wellbeing. Her work exemplifies our commitment to societal progress and positive change.”  

Source: Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

Posted on 4 September 2023

Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga is providing greater access to courses for ākonga (learners) and increased flexibility to study at their own pace, by recently changing to a monthly enrolment intake for most of its business degree offerings in the Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Applied Management, and graduate qualifications in business. 

The change sees Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga, New Zealand’s specialist provider of online and distance education, become the first tertiary education provider in Aotearoa New Zealand offering degree-level business courses on a monthly enrolment basis.  

The new monthly enrolment intakes will give ākonga increased access to business programmes across the network of Te Pūkenga business divisions and offers a more learner-centric approach, placing the needs and preferences of ākonga at the centre. 

Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga Executive Director, Alan Cadwallader says “The majority of our ākonga are busy adult learners balancing their studies around work and family commitments.  By offering increased opportunities to enrol throughout the year, ākonga will have greater choice about how they structure their studies around everything else going on in their lives.” 

From L -R  Andrew McCulloch and Alan Cadwallader

While the majority of courses within the business degree programmes will have monthly intakes, courses with in-person exams, or other time-dependent activities, will continue to be offered with limited intakes each year. 

Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga Acting Executive Director Learning Delivery, Andrew McCulloch, says employers and industry will also benefit from the new monthly enrolment model for degree level business programmes.  “With more ākonga able to enrol when it suits them, it will also be advantageous for industries and employers seeking a steady stream of skilled and qualified graduates throughout the year.” 

Head to the Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga website for more information on the wide range of business qualifications:   

Source: Open Polytechnic of New Zealand

Posted on 9 August 2023

Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) have joined forces to recognise prior learning from on-the-job training for military-personnel who undertake tertiary education through Open Polytechnic.

Since 2020, graduates of the New Zealand Defence Force’s Joint Warrant Officers Advanced Course (JWOAC) have been able to enrol into the Bachelor of Applied Management with 240 credits, leaving just six courses left to complete, to be awarded the degree. This pathway was created in conjunction with Open Polytechnic.

New Zealand Defence Force Warrant Officers Aaron Jeffries and Kerry Williams say they are grateful for the opportunity to complete the Bachelor of Applied Management through Open Polytechnic.

According to Aaron, studying online through Open Polytechnic provided him with the flexibility he required to be able to successfully finish his degree.

“The online delivery style and assessment criteria suited my work, life and study balance,” Aaron says.

“Online allows for a paperless experience and everything I needed to be successful was incorporated within the electronic syllabus.”

Kerry, who took the programme to get a formal qualification to recognise 35 years working at the New Zealand Defence Force, found the degree programme practical.

“Open Polytechnic was great because I could base a lot of answers on my own personal knowledge, skills and experience,” Kerry says.

“Learning online allowed me to control the pace around full-time work commitments.”

“The study materials were easy to follow and informative.”

For Aaron and Kerry, the programme was beneficial for their careers now, and any future aspirations.

“I have certainly used aspects of strategy management (theories) and change management (processes) in my day-to-day role,” Aaron says.

“This programme of study captured what I already knew or had been practicing for many years,” Kerry says.

“There was some very good material covered within the programme that I will apply in the future, if the opportunity arises.”

Juggling work with study and family commitments was sometimes difficult for both learners, but they managed to get through it thanks to the Open Polytechnic degree programme format and helpful kaimahi (staff).

“It was challenging finding the right balance at times, however the online delivery style and the flexibility allowed by the tutors made the experience manageable,” Aaron says.

“The biggest challenge was making time to study,” Kerry says.

“Once committed with an end goal in sight, it made studying an achievable goal.”

Both aviators would recommend the Bachelor of Applied Management, and not just to those in the New Zealand Defence Force.

Aaron, who is a “huge advocate for professional development” found the programme useful in the New Zealand Defence environment and thinks that the skills he learned in the degree would also be relevant to other industries.

For Kerry, it rounds out much of what he already knows from his career to date.

“The time commitment is manageable, and you are surprised how easy it is to pick up and deliver the content in assignments,” Kerry says.

“It’s a good feeling to be supported by my organisation in developing an advanced learning pathway that I could utilise to acknowledge my previous skills and experience.”

NZDF’s Warrant Officer of the Defence Force (WODF), Mark Mortiboy is a strong advocate for JWOAC graduates to take up studying the Bachelor of Applied Management.

“The programme provides military leaders the opportunity to complement years of practical experience with understanding sound management practices. It provides a mechanism to broaden one’s knowledge and apply it on the job.”

“It’s great to play such an important role in helping the New Zealand Defence Force upskill their staff,” says Alan Cadwallader, Executive Director at Open Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga.

“By working directly with the Defence Force, we have been able to provide them with a pathway to complete the Bachelor of Applied Management programme, and we look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”

The Bachelor of Applied Management programme is part of an agreement signed last year between Te Pūkenga and NZDF to provide more than 4500 ākonga (learners) annually with world-class training and qualifications.

The agreement draws together the training and education previously provided by a number of Transitional Industry Training Organisations (TITOs) and Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) into one new arrangement with Te Pūkenga.

This demonstrates how the country’s largest tertiary education and training provider can be the long-term skills training partner for organisations with regional and national reach, says Andrew McSweeney, Pourangi Ākonga me te Ahumahi | DCE Learner and Employer Experience and Attraction for Te Pūkenga.

“We are working collaboratively to simplify how New Zealand’s armed forces engage with vocational and applied learning.”