Wintec News
Wintec Wins Three Categories in Tertiary Sector Awards
Posted On: Friday, 19 July 2009
ITP New Zealand, the national association for institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs), held its annual education awards last night, to recognise excellence in the sector. Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology) won three of the six categories:
- Innovative Support Services - SODA Inc., our creative industries business incubator in partnership with Hamilton City Council
- Relevant Learning - our stakeholder engagement strategy; specifically our employer partnership groups (EPGs)
- Global Role - our internationalisation strategy; in particular the partnerships we’ve developed in China and the work of our Beijing Office and International Centre.
The awards recognised Wintec’s active leadership role in helping to strengthen the local community and to contribute to the economic growth and social development of the city, its international initiatives and its commitment to industry and community engagement.
In the Innovative Support Services category Wintec was recognised for its collaboration with Hamilton City Council in the establishment of SODA Inc., the country’s only business incubator for the creative industries. This is a unique and successful collaboration between Wintec and Hamilton City Council aimed at developing Hamilton as vibrant creative city by expanding the creative industries sector.
Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock said it is pleasing to see SODA Inc. commended on a national level.
“In Hamilton we recognise the importance of nurturing and encouraging creativity and innovation, so Hamilton City Council is extremely proud to be leading by example through its partnership with Wintec in the SODA Inc. initiative,” he said.
In the Relevant Learning Category Wintec was recognised for its significant industry engagement which has become a highly visible focus of its activities. Following a review of the role and effectiveness of its industry advisory committees, the institute moved to a new employer partnership model to improve the relevance of its teaching to industry.
The institute’s global role was also acknowledged. Wintec’s partnership strategy with tertiary institutions in China has been extremely successful, enabling Wintec to maintain or grow its international student numbers against the sector trend. It is based on the model of an office in Beijing to provide local contact and expertise, and “pathway” study in which students study in their own institution in China and then complete their qualification with Wintec in Hamilton.
