In a groundbreaking joint initiative, Lincoln University and Ellesmere College have signed an agreement that will smooth the pathway for international high school students to transition directly into tertiary study..
New student pathway enables seamless transition from high school to tertiary study
The new agreement formalises a partnership between Lincoln and Ellesmere College whereby international high school students can easily progress their chosen study programmes to tertiary level, while also continuing to live in the location where they feel comfortable, supported and at home.
Lincoln’s Director International, Roger Shew, and Director International at Ellesmere College, Steve Henderson, who have been working towards cementing the new partnership for the last 12 months, see huge benefits for both institutions, as well as for the students themselves.
“It’s a win for both our institutions and it’s also a win for the students,” says Shew.
“By smoothing the learning pathway from high school to tertiary study, we anticipate Lincoln retaining a measurably higher proportion of the international student cohort than we would otherwise. And the students themselves will enjoy significant advantages in being able to progress seamlessly from high school to university while remaining settled in a familiar and supportive environment throughout their education.”
And according to Ellesmere College Principal Ronan Bass, the new partnership will deliver a powerful selling proposition for the school, which will be effectively positioned to offer prospective international students and their families a compelling ‘education package’ that maps an entire learning pathway, ideally culminating in a rewarding and fulfilling career.
Bass shares, “While on an overseas recruitment trip, it occurred to me that instead of marketing our proposition in isolation, we would be better placed to partner with a tertiary provider to build a comprehensive pathway that would take our international students from high school to university, with contiguous, complementary subject choices and minimal disruption in their pastoral care.”
Henderson adds, “Lincoln University was the natural fit for our school. Both institutions are based in a rural catchment area, we’re co-located in the Selwyn district, our values align and we both offer study programmes with a strong focus on land-based disciplines. Working together, we are better positioned to achieve our joint objective to grow our entire international student cohort.”
Meanwhile, Roger Shew had been developing a similar proposition from the University’s perspective. The two partners’ mutual vision became a reality with last week’s signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding.
Shew, Henderson and their respective teams have identified a range of subjects taught at Ellesmere College that align with corresponding study programmes offered at Lincoln University, and are now marketing these options as the Pathway Programme.
While naturally rich in agriculture-related subjects, the Pathway Programme also offers a wide range of course options within the general land-based sector, such as business, tourism, landscape architecture, sport and recreation and environmental management.
Lincoln University Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bruce McKenzie, sees the collaboration between the University and Ellesmere College as significant not just for the local community, but also for New Zealand, and even globally.
“Our two institutions share a vision to provide our students with an inspiring and life-enriching experience while they progress along their tailored study pathway towards their chosen career.
“We will be working together to equip new generations with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to their countries’ economies and to address the grand environmental challenges of the 21st Century and beyond.”
