The two institutions are exploring opportunities for collaboration as Aoraki seeks ways to improve its financial performance as it faces falling student numbers and a forecast deficit of $2.3 million this year.
Otago Polytechnic communications director Mike Waddell said options discussed so far included it offering courses from Aoraki's Timaru campus.
''It would be programmes that Aoraki do not offer and yet the community wants,'' Mr Waddell said.
That could include offering Otago's nursing programme in Timaru.
''We have also looked at shared programme delivery, shared back-of-house services and maybe a shared campus in Dunedin here.''
This could mean Aoraki Polytechnic offering its Dunedin courses from Otago Polytechnic's campus.
Whatever the final outcome, Mr Waddell was confident the two institutions would work closer together as both were keen on collaboration.
''We believe collaboration is the way of the future, so it's about how do we collaborate for the best outcome for students and the spend of a scarce education dollar.''
His comments come after Aoraki Polytechnic's council agreed to continue as a separate entity, while collaborating with other institutions, including Otago Polytechnic, CPIT and Lincoln University.
''A new collaborative model with other South Island tertiary institutions will be developed and implemented over the next 18 months,'' a press release issued yesterday said.
Acting chief executive Alex Cabrera said said the move would be positive for its students.
''Our students will have the best of both worlds: not only the benefits of a local education, but all of the advantages that come from affiliation with other providers with a broader geographic reach, and extended academic offering,'' he said.
