Higher education booming in the Bay | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

The University of Waikato is flourishing in the Western Bay of Plenty, with 15 per cent more students studying at the Tauranga campus in 2011 compared with the same time last year.

The university also recorded its best ever financial result - a surplus of $9.4 million.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford addressed guests at a stakeholders' breakfast on Wednesday morning and spoke of the University's success, as well as highlighting its unique partnership with the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, and Whakatane-based Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, which got involved in the partnership last year.

"In this partnership we have three autonomous, independent organisations working together to provide pathways for students and we are working with the community to identify your educational needs," he said.

Mr Crawford said the partnership had delivered a co-operative tertiary education system for people of the region, which built on the teaching and research strengths of each institution. Tertiary education and research was also matched to the region's needs.

Future developments of the partnership include creating a unique university campus experience in the Bay, developing linkages with other countries to promote international excellence which will benefit the region, and creating research opportunities with other sectors.

About 80 people attended the breakfast including Tauranga City Council mayor Stuart Crosby and Western Bay mayor Ross Paterson, as well as business and community leaders and school principals. Senior members of the university also joined in the event.