Tertiary College celebrates educational relationship with China

New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) continues to lead the way in early childhood education learning in China.

NZTC recently celebrated the inaugural graduation of 142 students who completed a New Zealand Qualifications Authority-approved Certificate in Early Childhood Teaching (level six) as part of the Sino-New Zealand Cooperation Programme.

Supported by Education New Zealand (ENZ) throughout the establishment of the cooperation programme, Alexandra Grace, ENZ’s Regional Director for Greater China, attended the ceremony and shared a special message with the graduates.

“Relationships between countries are shaped by leaders, but developed by people. As the first cohort of graduates you are now dual ambassadors for China and New Zealand. You hold in your hands, in your hearts, and in your minds an understanding of both our countries which is necessary to take the New Zealand – China relationship to greater heights,” said Ms Grace.

The programme began in 2013 and, is a collaboration between NZTC, Fujian Preschool Education College and the education agency China Liberal Technology Development Company Limited to support early childhood teacher education in China.

A strong educational relationship has developed between NZTC and China, further strengthened by the addition of NZTC to the Chinese Ministry of Education’s Study Abroad List in December 2015.

NZTC Chief Executive, Selena Fox, was at the inaugural graduation in Fuzhou to award the graduates their certificates and honour two outstanding graduates with an Academic Excellence and an NZTC Values award.

“This inaugural event is a symbol of the successful cooperation that crosses oceans, languages and cultures between New Zealand and China as we come together because of our shared commitment to the education of teachers and the children of China,” said Ms Fox.

Further educational opportunities are available for the graduates as they consider completing an NZTC Bachelor of Education (ECE) in China or New Zealand, or a teaching qualification in New Zealand.

For more information visit www.nztertiarycollege.ac.nz