Otago School of Media to open as joint project of polytechnics

Two polytechnics are joining forces to open the Otago School of Media next year.

The school will initially offer the nine certificate and diploma media and writing-related courses already available through the Aoraki Polytechnic Dunedin campus, plus two additional Aoraki courses: a certificate in media communications, and an advanced certificate in creative writing.

Spokesmen for both Aoraki and Otago Polytechnic said it was hoped to strengthen courses in the next few years to give students more options and to enable them to move easily into higher-level diploma and degree courses available through Otago Polytechnic's School of Design.

Among the media-related courses already offered through Aoraki in Dunedin are digital photography; web design; radio, television and presenting; film and television; creative writing; and 3D animation.

All would continue next year.

However, Aoraki's best-known media course, the National Diploma in Journalism, would continue to be offered only at its main Timaru campus, Aoraki chief executive Wendy Smith said yesterday.

The Tertiary Education Commission, which funds tertiary institutions, has tightened its funding criteria and wants institutions to collaborate rather than compete with similar courses offered in the same centres.

Ms Smith said developing the School of Media was a way of ensuring courses continued in Dunedin at both institutions while enhancing flexible future learning options for students.

The media school decision was "all quite exciting", Otago Polytechnic group manager of creative and applied technologies Alistair Regan said yesterday.

"Collaboration is a positive thing for Dunedin as we both look to grow, expand and strengthen what is on offer."

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Ms Smith will leave Aoraki Polytechnic at the end of the year for a new post as chief executive of the Aoraki Development Trust.

She has been on the polytechnic staff for 16 years, including eight as chief executive.