Professional Learning Through Engagement in a Tertiary Partnership

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology) has hosted a tertiary education partnership with the University of Waikato since 2006.

Three researchers Dr Nigel Calder (University of Waikato), Judith Honeyfield and Linda Campbell (Bay of Plenty Polytechnic) undertook a collaborative research project to analyse the impact of the partnership on staff at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, in particular their access to study opportunities leading to the completion of higher qualifications.

From 2010 to 2014 inclusive, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology) have had a fee concession arrangement that allows them to enrol in two undergraduate papers or one postgraduate paper at the University of Waikato per year.

The research question asked: How does the Tertiary Education Partnership between University of Waikato and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology) facilitate staff professional learning and completion of higher qualifications?