UCOL rethinks courses

Laurel Stowell | Friday, October 28, 2011 7:58 1 Comment

CHANGES AHEAD: Paul McElroy, UCOL chief executive, and Julia Pedley, Whanganui UCOL principal. As well as moving out of some of its Taupo Quay buildings, Whanganui UCOL's arts and design programmes are being reviewed. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

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UCOL is having a total rethink of its art and design courses, most of which are delivered in Wanganui.

The polytech is taking a blank-slate approach to the future, chief executive Paul McElroy revealed: "We've got no preconceptions, no predetermined solution."

The earliest that any changes can be made is 2013.

Art and design is one of the polytech's three core specialisations, alongside health and trades. Wanganui has most of the art and design courses, with two in Palmerston North.

UCOL council chairman Trevor Goodwin said all of its provision of art and design would be reviewed.

"We don't want to find that as the world changes and what we're delivering is no longer meeting the needs of students and employers," he said.

Art and design were seen as important and desirable. The polytech wanted to lift student numbers - especially in Wanganui Glass School, which had only four first-year enrolments this year.

"We will do nothing to jeopardise the viability of the Wanganui campus. We have got some really talented people at Wanganui, like Marty Vreede and Katrina Langdon. We have to make the most out of the facilities, courses and people we have."

The need to strengthen some of the fine arts buildings in Taupo Quay against earthquakes was inconvenient, but had not inspired the rethink. However, it could affect what went into those buildings when they were strengthened or rebuilt.

"We wouldn't necessarily put all the old stuff back," Mr Goodwin said.

The review is called Prospective. One of its first steps will be the polytech's 10x10 symposium on November 12, held halfway between Wanganui and Palmerston North at Marton's Rangitikei College.

In it, 10 people will each give 10-minute presentations, followed by discussion. They will be staff, students, graduates, designers, photographers and also include consultant Anne Pattillo, who has given a substantial scholarship to a Whanganui UCOL arts student every year for five years.

Industry speakers include Helen Milner, who has employed several graduates and is the creative director of Tardis Design & Advertising in Wellington.

The polytech will also take note of what iconic art and design schools do internationally.

Once all the information has been gathered, Whanganui UCOL's head of creative programmes, Sally-Jane de Salazar, and principal Julia Pedley, with the Palmerston North heads of furniture and visual arts courses and UCOL senior manager Clare Crawley, will be making decisions. Any changes must be approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.