Teaching excellence opens doors to Shandong

Earlier this week Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s International Team hosted a high profile Chinese delegation lead by Mr Qi Tao, Commissioner of Shandong Provincial Education Department. The delegation also included senior provincial managers in Shandong’s Vocational and Adult Education ministries.  

The delegation was particularly interested in establishing connections with the Polytechnic to develop vocational teaching expertise at vocational institutes within the Shandong Province. The delegation noted the Polytechnic’s international reputation as a provider of tertiary teaching excellence with the institution having received two coveted National Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awards and achieving an enviable 80% student completion rate.  

This visit saw the signing of a deed of collaboration with Mr Tao and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Chief Executive, Dr Alan Hampton, allowing the Polytechnic’s teaching expertise to move into the international field.

“This was a fantastic opportunity to further cement strong business ties with the greater Shandong Province, which is also the location of Yantai, Tauranga’s Sister city in China,” says Richard van der Jagt, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s Business Development Manager.

“Our guests really enjoyed the opportunity to gain a firsthand understanding of vocational education in New Zealand.  They felt Tauranga would offer an ideal location for the professional development of vocational tutors from throughout the Shandong province.”

The delegates were also hosted at Tauranga’s Mayoral offices and toured the Polytechnic’s CBD facilities with the University of Waikato’s Partnership and Liaison Manager, Dr. Nigel Calder, and Pro Vice Chancellor International, Associate Professor Dr. Ed Weymes, before signing a Memorandum of Cooperation.