Aoraki buys language schools

Aoraki Polytechnic has bought the Aoraki International College (AIC) and the Aoraki English Language College in the hope of bringing more international students to Timaru.

In the 12 years since the AIC was formed, about 2000 international students had been through, with most going through the language college.

AIC director Adrian Kerr said some students were there for as little as two weeks or as long as a year.

"The average study period has been 12 weeks for students of English language and most students for Aoraki Polytechnic come for one year."

Most students were from Asia, but there were some who had come from the Middle East, Russia, Hungary, Brazil and the Pacific Islands. Mr Kerr said he was pleased that after 11 years of running the business he could pass it on to Aoraki Polytech to allow "the business to grow and meet its full potential".

At the language college's peak a few years ago, there were between 70 and 120 students studying at any one time, but now that had dropped to about 30 to 50 students, Mr Kerr said.

Aoraki Polytech chief executive Kay Nelson said the merger would be an attractive option to the international student market.

The polytech would review the international market's requirements and provide new and existing programmes to meet that market, she said.

Aoraki Polytech operations manager Ben Lee said the structure of the colleges would be assimilated into the polytech's general operations. The polytech would work with the colleges to ensure a "smooth transition".

Staff at the colleges will stay on.

- © Fairfax NZ News