No decision on Aoraki courses

A marketing push for Aoraki Polytechnic's Dunedin courses is under way despite no decision having been made on a proposed takeover by Otago Polytechnic.

A proposal to take over courses offered by Aoraki's Dunedin campus was announced on September 10.

The courses are beauty, hairdressing, massage therapy, journalism, film and television, photography and early childhood studies.

Courses could be discontinued if there were not 16 enrolments for a February start.

Otago Polytechnic communications director Mike Waddell said no decision had been made, despite the consultation period closing and an Otago Polytechnic advertisement featuring the Aoraki logo and courses.

''It's been through the consultation ... [and] we are awaiting the outcome of that decision,'' Mr Waddell said.

''At this point, no decision has been made.''

Whatever the outcome was, the two institutions had agreed to work together to let people know ''what the situation is for the students''.

He believed the courses would be offered next year either by Otago Polytechnic or Aoraki Polytechnic, or ''we may well do it in partnership''.

''We just thought ... let's try and do the right thing here for both staff and students.

''It's now in the hands of the chief executive of Aoraki.''

Aoraki Polytechnic marketing and international manager Bronwyn Hargraves said the two institutions were working together.

''There hasn't been any decision,'' she said.

''We're just promoting programmes as we normally would.''

Ms Hargraves said they had advertised in partnership in previous years.

Tertiary Education Union organiser Kris Smith said they ''were hedging their bets'' but the programmes had to be advertised..

The date for a decision on the proposal has not been set.

rhys.chamberlain@odt.co.nz

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