Otago Polytechnic celebrates record number of graduates

A record 1580 people will graduate from Otago Polytechnic on Friday 14 December.

This includes 740 people graduating in person, up from 644 last year.

The overall graduation numbers eclipse Otago Polytechnic’s 2017 December record of 1463.

For the third successive year, Otago Polytechnic will hold two December graduation ceremonies at the Dunedin Town Hall. They will be preceded by a parade through central Dunedin, starting at 11am.

Phil Ker, Otago Polytechnic Chief Executive, says the number of graduands reflects the attractiveness of our programmes, the quality of our teaching and our innovative approaches to learning.

“Otago Polytechnic’s varied programmes help to address some marked skills shortages, not only in Dunedin and Otago, but throughout New Zealand. Our achievements in the face of declining sector enrolments reflect our success in servicing not only school leavers but experienced adults in the workplace.”

A strong, high-performing and resilient organisation, Otago Polytechnic provides “tremendous benefits” for Dunedin and Otago, including contributing more than $300 million a year to the Otago economy, according to a recent Economic Impact Report.

“We contribute to our communities in other ways, too – through student projects, sponsorships, and making our resources, including buildings and equipment, freely available,” Phil says.

“Recently, we became the first organisation in New Zealand to win the Baldrige-affiliated Performance Excellence Study Award (PESA), a prestigious organisational excellence award.

“Achieving excellence on the world stage is only possible because of the efforts, expertise and commitment of our excellent staff, of whom we are justifiably proud.”

Otago Polytechnic’s graduation ceremonies will be held at the Dunedin Town Hall, on Friday 14 December (12.30pm-2.30pm and 3.30pm-5.30pm) 

Watch a live stream of each ceremony