The Otago Polytechnic is happy with the number of enrolments at the institution this year, despite domestic growth ''flattening off'' compared with the previous three years.
A total of 3361 equivalent fulltime students had enrolled at the polytechnic as of last Sunday, which was 51 (1.54%) more than the 3310 enrolled at the corresponding time last year.
Director of communications Mike Waddell said the polytechnic was pleased with the figures and confident student numbers over the whole year would be up on last year.
The polytechnic was particularly happy with the numbers of international students, which were 35% higher than this time last year, he said.
However, domestic numbers were slightly down on where the polytechnic expected them to be.
''The rate of domestic growth that has occurred over the last three years seems to be flattening off, which seems to be a nationwide trend rather than just an Otago trend.
''What we are a little mystified by, is the flattening off in the trades and technical areas given the skill shortages and the opportunities for well-paid jobs as a result of the Christchurch rebuild,'' Mr Waddell said.
The polytechnic would be able to respond if there was increased demand in the trades and technical areas.
There had also been a decline in postgraduate students, and in particular those studying arts, which could be a result of the Government's decision to make postgraduates ineligible to receive student allowances, he said.
The polytechnic's finance report, tabled at last week's council meeting, showed its operating surplus as of February 28 was $2.118 million, $528,000 worse than budgeted.
The report said the surplus was behind budget mostly due to timing issues.
