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Wairarapa MP, Georgina Beyer, is welcoming the end of a decade of uncertainty hanging over polytechnic education in the region with the announcement today that Wairarapa Community Polytechnic is to merge with Palmerston North-based UCOL.
Speaking from London, Ms Beyer said she had been working actively with Associate Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey since the election to secure a long term future for tertiary education in the Wairarapa. The decision to merge with UCOL will bring the backing and expertise of a major regional tertiary institution and give local students and employers security about the institution's future which has been missing for many years. Ms Beyer said she would carefully monitor the implementation of the merger to make sure that Wairarapa people continue to have a leading role in the running of the UCOL@Wairarapa campus.
"I'm delighted that we have been able to secure a long term solution for polytechnic education in the Wairarapa. Mr Maharey's announcement ends a decade of uncertainty about the future of our institution.
"It is very important that Wairarapa people continue to have a say in the running of their local campus. I am pleased that a local Board of Studies and a Community Advisory Group are to be established. It will be important for our community to make sure we use these avenues to affect the running of UCOL@Wairarapa.
"I would also like to thank those local people who took the time to make submissions on the merger proposal. The level of feeling about the polytechnic in our community gives me great optimism about its future development," Georgina Beyer said.
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