Otago Polytechnic wins two Australasian excellence awards

18 September 2012

Otago Polytechnic wins two Australasian excellence awards

Otago Polytechnic received recognition and praise at an awards ceremony in Adelaide, Australia last night, winning two prestigious awards for its celebrated Charity House project and comprehensive IT Service Desk.

The Polytechnic was acknowledged by the Association for Tertiary Education Management (ATEM)/Campus Review Best Practice Awards, winning both the Excellence in Community Engagement and Excellence in Student Administration and Customer Service honours.

The hotly-contested Awards recognise excellence in professional management and administration by staff of tertiary institutions in Australia and New Zealand.

“We’re thrilled ATEM and Campus Review have honoured the hard work and dedication of so many of our professional staff,” says Acting Chief Executive, Mike Collins. “Our Charity House initiative and IT Helpdesk service are both very worthy recipients of these Awards, and I would like to congratulate all staff members who have contributed to their success.”

Otago Polytechnic’s Charity House project, which won the Community Engagement category, is now into its sixth year. Carpentry students build three houses each year, one of which is auctioned off for charity.

Not only does the Polytechnic work closely with more than 20 local businesses to finish and market the house, but it donates all profit to more than 30 Otago charities annually through the fundraising distributor, United Way. Otago Polytechnic is by far Otago’s largest source of funding to United Way, donating more than $450,000 through the Charity Houses over the past five years.

“The students are always really proud of building their first home and making a contribution to their local community,” says Graham Burgess, Carpentry Programme Manager. “Our students come from all over Otago, and one of the things I particularly like about this project is that the money raised benefits the whole region. It’s a concept I truly applaud.”

“The support of our sponsors is critical to its remarkable success – we couldn’t do it without them,” adds Business Relationship Manager, Bevan Rickerby. “It’s telling that most of these businesses have been involved since the very first charity house, which is just fantastic.”

The Excellence in Student Administration and Customer Service Award was won by Otago Polytechnic’s IT Service Desk, which not only offers support to the Polytechnic’s staff and students, but is also contracted to provide the same service to Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) staff.

The service is accessed through an 0800 number and utilises remote control tools that allows Service Desk staff to administer solutions to any computer.

“It’s a free service at Otago Polytechnic and we believe we are the only Polytechnic or Institute of Technology in New Zealand offering this to both staff and students,” says Information Systems and Support Customer Support Manager, Colin Armstrong. “We are now in our second year of providing support to NMIT, and the institute is very happy with our service.”

The recipients of the Excellence in Community Engagement Award are: Carpentry Programme Manager, Graham Burgess; Carpentry Lecturer, Matt Thompson; Business Relationship Manager, Bevan Rickerby; Director: Communications, Mike Waddell.

The recipients of the Excellence in Student Administration and Customer Services Award are: Information Systems and Support Customer Support Manager, Colin Armstrong, and the IT Helpdesk team.

ENDS

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