Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust is seeking consumers' views on a proposal to fund $15 million to the Bay of Plenty Tertiary Education Partnership to expand the city's tertiary education.
The Bay of Plenty Tertiary Education Partnership is made up of four autonomous institutions: the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Waiariki Institute of Technology, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, and the University of Waikato.
Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust is seeking consumers' views on a proposal to fund $15 million towards tertiary education in the city.
The TECT funding proposed to the partnership is to fund the expansion of tertiary education in Tauranga.
There is a compelling need in the Bay of Plenty region to increase qualification levels, retain youth, attract talent and innovation, and create economic wealth.
While tertiary facilities currently exist, they are spread over the Western and Eastern Bay of Plenty locations.
New facilities are required to support an increase in research and tertiary education reflecting the region's competitive advantage, provide pathways through tertiary education from certificates to post graduate qualifications and, attract more young people, particularly Maori, into post-secondary education within the region.
The proposal will roll out in two stages, with the first stage's construction set to be completed in 2018.
Projections are for an additional 2500 equivalent full-time students by the end of stage two.
Other funders will be the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, through the Regional Infrastructure Fund), Tauranga City Council's donation of land, and the University of Waikato.
TECT trustees have recommended funding of up to $15 million be made available to expand tertiary education in Tauranga subject to the TEP entering a funding agreement with TECT that's satisfactory to trustees.
TECT trustees are seeking consumer responses to this proposal.
Consumers can find out more about the proposed funding and make submissions on TECT's website: www.tect.org.nz/submissions Submissions close 12pm, Tuesday July 15, 2014.
1 comment
NO!
Posted on 05-07-2014 14:38 | By awaroa
These institutes are businesses. They have plenty of money and should look elsewhere if they must. Isn't $15 million enough to suck out of the community. I am sick of hearing the "particularly Maori.." in their PR campaigns as well. What do they "particularly do for Maori".. They shouldn't be funded. Its about time our less fortunate got some support. These institutes need to realise they are sucking us dry. Unlike the students who might come and go, those who are from here, live here and will stay here - are who should be first in line for some benefits from their personal consumer contributions. If this goes ahead, thats $30 million they have taken. Take a look at our own needs, Kids having to pay busfares to get to school, kids with empty puku expected to be able to learn. These institutes should be ashamed of themselves.
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