Saudis look to Wintec for education ideas

KELLY HODEL/Waikato Times

STUDYING WINTEC: A group of Saudi Arabian educators visited Wintec in Hamilton yesterday and were shown around by internationalisation director Stewart Brougham, front right.

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Senior Saudi Arabian educators yesterday "picked the brains" of Wintec in a bid to improve their own tertiary education system.

Wintec's director of internationalisation, Stewart Brougham, said the 24 visitors were part of a high-ranking Saudi Education Ministry group travelling the world to get ideas on polytechnics. "Saudi Arabia ... is full of young people. Traditionally, they've relied on ex-pats and immigrants to fill a lot of high-end, skilled positions. Now, they really want to change that."

Mr Brougham said the visitors were more interested in the organisation of the institution rather than specific curriculum topics. They were particularly interested in how Wintec worked with industry groups to find work for graduates. The Saudis made contact with Wintec through Polytechnics International New Zealand consultancy group, of which Wintec chief executive Mark Flowers is a member.

Mr Brougham said the visitors who toured the campus yesterday were willing to put a lot into improving Saudi Arabia's tertiary education. Benefits to Wintec could include hosting Saudi students. Mr Brougham said the Saudi team would also look at polytechnics in Auckland and Wellington and had also looked at institutions in Canada and Germany.

A second group of 24 will visit Wintec later this month.

- © Fairfax NZ News