Successful collaboration of tertiary institutes

Successful collaboration of Aoraki Polytechnic and Lincoln University.

Two of Aoraki Polytechnic’s Diploma in Business graduates are heading to Lincoln University next year, thanks to a collaborative partnership of the two institutes. Phillip Wood and Joanne Rooney are both enrolled in a Bachelor of Commerce, with direct entry into the second year of the degree, starting in February.

The collaboration means students who complete their New Zealand Diploma in Business at Aoraki Polytechnic are able to enter a Lincoln University Bachelor of Commerce degree directly at the second year level. Phillip and Joanne are the first two Aoraki students to progress to Lincoln University through this partnership agreement.

Phillip Wood made a smart decision to enrol at Aoraki Polytechnic where he knew he would get the knowledge and assistance he needed. Phillip has just received his acceptance into the halls of residence at Lincoln. “I’m looking forward to it, and feel much better equipped and ready to complete a degree.”

Joanne Rooney has always wanted to be an Accountant. After finishing secondary school and the need to stay in Timaru, she enrolled full time at Aoraki Polytechnic to gain a New Zealand Diploma in Business and a New Zealand Diploma in Applied Business with an endorsement in Accounting, “I started out full time then got a job at HC Partners, I changed to part time and worked while I studied.”

Joanne thoroughly enjoyed her time at Aoraki and the knowledge and support she received from the tutors and staff. “Choosing to stay in Timaru to kick start my career means that my loan isn’t as big and I gain real life applied skills in Accounting that I use every day in my job.”

To continue her dream to become a Chartered Accounted, Joanne is using Aoraki’s partnership with Lincoln University to directly pathway into their second year of a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting. “It’s great that my qualification from Aoraki is recognised and it was easy to cross credit my qualifications.”

This agreement sees Aoraki working closely to ensure people in the South Canterbury, Mid Canterbury and North Otago region have direct access to Degree level-study upon completion of their studies.

Senior Lecturer in Business Management in Lincoln University’s Faculty of Commerce Dr Tony Brien sees the collaboration as a great opportunity for students of Aoraki and Lincoln University.

“It is excellent news that we have Joanne and Phillip coming into the Faculty of Commerce at Lincoln University as the first of hopefully many students progressing through to degree study with us. We are proud to be working with Aoraki Polytechnic to bring university-level study into the region.

“Essentially the arrangement means that students completing, or who have completed, the New Zealand Diploma in Business in Timaru, Ashburton or Oamaru with Aoraki Polytechnic can start their degree in their home district, while actually living at home.

“Then there’s the educationally significant point that the students will come into the Lincoln University course with some solid study experience behind them and the confidence that comes from having finished a qualification, the business studies diploma. They will be off to a good start as second year degree students at Lincoln University.”

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