Educating the teachers of the World

Educating the teachers of the World – Whitireia signs an agreement with Indonesian Ambassadors.

A signing of a five year memorandum of intent, took place with Jambi educational representatives on October 7. The formal arrangement has allowed for academic staff from tertiary institutions in Jambi to study in New Zealand for four months to upgrade their skills in academic English and in teaching. The memorandum recognised the intent to continue sending teachers to train with Whitireia for the next five years.

A group of 23 Jambi academic staff have just completed their four month Certificate in Professional Teaching Practice at Auckland Campus and the delegation had come to New Zealand to review the progress of students and to sign the agreement.

Ambassador Mr. Amris Hassan, signed the agreement on behalf of the Indonesian Delegation (who were stuck in Auckland because of the Wellington airport closure) along with Don Campbell, CE of Whitireia Community Polytechnic.

“We are keen to foster the awareness of this Polytechnic and the teacher training it can provide our people with. Not many Indonesian people know about Educational Institutions in New Zealand and we want to have our academic staff learning from one of the best.” Said Mr. Amris Hassan.

The initiative was proposed by the Indonesian Government and students are funded directly by grants from them. They envisaged cohorts of up to 25 studying for four months at a time. Ongoing programme content for delivery will be subject to a detailed Memorandum of Agreement for each cohort.

Whitireia provides the opportunity for international teachers of English to come and study the Certificate in Professional Teaching Practice. In the past this opportunity has been taken up by groups of teachers from the same country, who travel and learn as a group. In 2006 Thailand was the focal country participating in this opportunity.

Whitireia has an excellent track record in teacher training; with its established Bachelor in Early Childhood Education, Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Certificate in Early Childhood Teaching, producing highly sort after graduates. Whitireia is also renowned for its experience and success in educating international and national teachers alike.

ENDS

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