Ceremony bittersweet for outgoing leader

The final graduation ceremony of Otago Polytechnic as a fully autonomous institution was a bittersweet occasion for its outgoing leader.

Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker was conferred an honorary doctorate of professional practice yesterday.

And as one of his final formal acts after taking on the role in 2004, he addressed the graduates assembled at the Dunedin Town Hall yesterday.

Mr Ker gave an at times humorous, at times impassioned, but ultimately optimistic speech — he did not skirt the contentious merger of 16 polytechnics and institutions under one banner announced earlier this year.

"On March 31, we cease to exist as Otago Polytechnic. On April 1, we are reborn as Otago Polytechnic Ltd — a subsidiary under the Companies Act of a New Zealand mega-polytechnic, name pending, but not to be called a polytechnic, it seems.

"The future for Otago Polytechnic is not a mere name change. What we do and how we do it may well indeed — probably will — change quite dramatically. Whether this will be for the best or not we do not know, and only time will tell. The risks are high. However, we hope for the best. We will work hard for the best. We intend to be an even better version of ourselves as the future unfolds. Like you [the graduates], we are equipped to lead for a better world — and we will."

Mr Ker was awarded his honorary degree by Otago Polytechnic council chairwoman Kathy Grant, who praised Mr Ker’s 45-year career and the "extraordinary contribution that [Mr Ker] has made as a leader, educator and global citizen to Otago Polytechnic, to this community and to the tertiary education sector".

Glenys Ker supports her husband, outgoing Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker, who was...
Glenys Ker supports her husband, outgoing Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker, who was emotional after delivering the graduation address at his last graduation ceremony as chief executive at the Dunedin Town Hall yesterday afternoon. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON

A polytechnic statement notes Mr Ker is chairing two of the seven "work streams" tasked with co-designing elements of the new mega-institute’s establishment board.

Under his leadership, the polytech gained the Baldrige-affiliated Performance Excellence Study Award.

He "championed" innovations in the vocational education sector, including EduBits (Otago Polytechnic’s micro-credentialling service) and the creation of the Otago Brew School at the Central Otago campus.

Mr Ker steps down as chief executive of Otago Polytechnic in June.

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