Otago Polytechnic Ltd

Mission Statement

Vision and Mission statements of Otago Polytechnic:

Vision: Our people make a better world. 

CMission: Build capability, Realise potential.

We build the capabilities of individuals, organisations and communities and help them to realise their potential. Our people are our learners, our staff, and the organisations and communities which we serve. We build the capability of our people so that they have the skills, knowledge, aspiration and confidence to make a better world through positive impacts on families, organisations and communities, nationally and globally.

International Role

The School of Design and Dunedin School of Art have approximately 30 active exchange or study abroad agreements across Asia, Europe, Scandinavia and North America. A full list of these collaborations is available. Since the global pandemic in 2020, our attentions have turned to international online collaborations including those with our partners in the Global Polytechnic Alliance (GPA). This initiative started in 2018 with Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, New Zealand,  Humber College, Toronto, Canada, and VIA University College, Aarhus, Denmark. 

Otago Polytechnic is a partner with ID Dunedin in the ID Dunedin International Emerging Design Awards which has been running since 2004 and attracts hundreds of entries from across the globe each year. This fashion focused event takes place in Dunedin and in 2021 features 43 finalist collections from 16 countries https://www.idfashion.co.nz/home

National Role

Otago Polytechnic makes a significant contribution to New Zealand in terms of design education and applied research. Our national connections include strong relationships with other institutions and agencies particularly: Auckland University of Technology (AUT) – http://www.aut.ac.nz,  DINZ – Designers Institute of New Zealand http://www.dinz.co.nz,  Victoria University – School of Design,  UNITEC School of Design,  Massey University – School of Design,  Wintec School of Design and Media and Ara Institute of Canterbury. Locally, we have developed strong relationships with the City of Dunedin through the Chamber of Commerce, Ara Toi and Dunedin Creative Partnership and local creative industries who are storng supporters of our programmes and graduates.  

Main Focus

Otago Polytechnic has a strong organisational focus on experiential learning and sustainability and cultural responsiveness are embedded into all the programmes we offer and into our own institutional practices. Creative programmes in communication, fashion and product design, architecture, culinary arts, visual arts and fine arts are available at all qualification levels. Teaching and learning is informed by highly research-active academic staff who are connected to research networks both nationally and internationally.