Otago Polytechnic IT Enrolments Bucking the Trend

Otago Polytechnic
Media Release

Otago Polytechnic IT Enrolments Bucking the Trend

For immediate release
13 March 2007

Otago Polytechnic is bucking the national trend amongst New Zealand Polytechnic and Technology institutes, showing a solid growth in the popularity of computing-related programmes in 2007.

Monday’s Dominion Post reported that although enrolments in first year computer science degrees at Victoria and Auckland Universities have risen by more than 20%, Polytechnic and Technology institutes have experienced more modest growth in first year enrolments. Many are still experiencing a decline in overall numbers thanks to low enrolments in the upper years.

Otago Polytechnic computing programmes have thus far recorded an increase of 24% in overall enrolments. Stand-out performer is the Polytechnic’s Certificate in IT Service and Support where 2007 EFTS are already 30% above budget.

The three-year Bachelor of Information Technology numbers are also up overall, this despite 2007 having one of the smallest graduating classes ever;12 students compared to approximately 20 in 2006 and 50 students in 2005.

“We are picking up our numbers more quickly than other institutions for a number of reasons,” says Dr Sam Mann, Associate Professor in the Department of Information Technology at Otago Polytechnic. “We have stuck to our guns when it comes to small classes, applied learning and links with industry, and it’s capturing the attention of our potential students.”

“Flexibility is also a key – our Certificate in IT Service and Support is offered via increasingly flexible delivery methods which makes it accessible for people who are working full or part-time. The increased number of graduates will allow us to maintain Dunedin’s pool of trained IT service professionals in the face of shortages in other centres nationally and internationally”

Otago Polytechnic has also done well in its Year 13 computing programmes delivered via video conferencing to schools across the country.

Last year eleven Year 13 students from Otago took part in the innovative programme. Five of those students are now enrolled full-time in the BIT, with one further student enrolled in an alternative Otago Polytechnic programme.

The project, which has now been rolled-out nationwide, has 35 students enrolled for 2007.

“The real challenge is in bridging the gap between the kind of computing education that can be offered at high school, and that which is delivered at a tertiary institution,” says Dr Mann. “We have nick-named our Year 13 project ‘Programming not Powerpoint’ and it’s been really well received.”

ENDS

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