Navitas has held an official opening for its pathway college in Christchurch, New Zealand, which is located on the campus of University of Canterbury and is the “first of its kind” in New Zealand, according to UC International College (UCIC) Director, Professor Peter Cottrell.
The on-campus operation opened in October and has accepted 70 students so far. It offers three start dates per year and its second intake is welcoming students from countries including China, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Given that the region suffered significantly since the Christchurch earthquake, the Navitas partnership with University of Canterbury (UC) is also being cited as a step to help boost earthquake recovery process.
The New Zealand government also launched a specific marketing drive to boost enrolments in the region in late 2012, with the offer of work rights to all English language students in the city, a local “tertiary pathway guarantee” for international students graduating from secondary schools in the region and the launch of Christchurch Educated.
Christchurch Educated promotes six reasons to consider studying there, including a local “tertiary pathway guarantee” and work rights
This consortium is providing a platform and voice for all types of education institution in Christchurch and offering students a local discount card.
The University of Canterbury itself is also benefiting from a NZ$260 million rebuild programme funded by government, which will fund a new science centre and upgraded engineering facilities.
Said Tertiary Education Minister, Steven Joyce at the time, “The work programme will be a major contributor to the Canterbury recovery, and will be one of the largest building projects in New Zealand.
“The university estimates that it will spend approximately $4 billion in capital and operating expenditure in the local economy over the next 10 years, as well as bringing an additional 3,000 domestic and international students into the region.”
According to Navitas Group CEO, Rod Jones, the delivery of UCIC courses (which includes commerce and engineering) will increase the number of high quality options available for students seeking to study in New Zealand.
“We are very proud of our partnership with the University of Canterbury, it is part of our ongoing commitment to support and provide quality academic outcomes to international students,” he said.
