Aoraki Polytechnic is reviewing its business model as it grapples with falling student numbers, but remains committed to its Dunedin campus.
The polytechnic, which has its main campus in Timaru, and has campuses in Ashburton, Oamaru, Christchurch and Dunedin, has encountered difficulties in recent years, and had a $1.6 million deficit in 2011. Student numbers had dropped by more than 15% since 2010.
In the wake of these difficulties, the polytechnic appointed independent adviser Malcolm Inglis late last year to look at its business model and this week said it would continue to hold meetings with staff, ''stakeholders'' and other providers to assess its options.
Options being looked at included ''forming a strategic alliance'' with Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.
Acting chief executive Alex Cabrera said Aoraki Polytechnic remained committed to ''all of its campuses'', including Dunedin, but it was too early to say how it could be affected by the review.
''No decisions have been made at this point. It is still too early to say how Dunedin or any other campus or operations may be affected,'' Mr Cabrera said.
Student numbers at the Dunedin campus and for Aoraki overall were down, consistent with the polytechnic's projections.
''In Dunedin, we had planned approximately 235 equivalent full-time students [efts], and we expect to deliver approximately 200 efts this year.
''We are in the process of evaluating ways to strengthen Aoraki's position in the education sector and to improve core business performance,'' he said.
