EIT is building on its strengths as an online educator in collaborating with other tertiary providers to develop more flexible study programmes.
EIT has partnered up with other leading New Zealand educators in launching TANZ eCampus, an online learning platform that will progressively develop online study options across a widening range of study programmes.
ARA Institute of Canterbury, Otago Polytechnic, Universal College of Learning Palmerston North and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology are EIT’s partners in the project.
“The online study environment works seamlessly across all five,” says EIT chief executive Chris Collins. “The online campus can be accessed via the TANZ eCampus website and online study offerings will continue to grow and develop so that by next year students will have an even bigger suite of courses to choose from.”
Collins said work had been underway for the last three years on building the technical infrastructure needed to support the platform.
TANZ eCampus executive director Pamela Simpson envisaged the online environment to be of particular interest to workplace learners looking to extend their job prospects or gain a new business-related skill – for example, in project management.
“Workplace learners should see a real benefit to the flexible and supportive online environment,” she said.
Initially, students are able to access more than 40 course offerings through the TANZ eCampus service, including a significant number of management and leadership-related courses and qualifications.
Simpson said TANZ eCampus would be keeping a finger on the pulse of student needs, adapting the learning platform so it performed at its best.
Students would also be well-supported by personal advisors, who would follow them through their learning journey. They would also have access to experienced course facilitators to help them achieve their study goals.
A qualification gained through TANZ eCampus is recognised by industry and accepted by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Students completing their programmes are able to graduate from any of the partner institutes.