Win-Win for Waiariki�s BASS Degree 

Students, staff and graduates of Waiariki Institute of Technology�s Bachelor of Applied Social Science (BASS) are delighted their degree has been given a tick of approval for quality and one of the remaining specialist subject areas, Kaupapa Maori, has been officially recognised by the Social Work Registration Board (SWRB).   

�Waiariki has been working for the past year to ensure these two issues get resolved so our graduates and students have the quality qualification, including recognition by its professional association, that they deserve,� says Mr John Snook, academic director at Waiariki.    

A year ago concerns were raised by students regarding the quality of BASS and also that the Kaupapa Maori major within the degree was not being recognised by the  SWRB as a qualification that would lead to a graduate becoming a registered social worker.   It has now been added to the list of qualifications recognised by the SWRB for the purposes of registration.    

�Although this particular issue was largely outside the control of Waiariki, student concerns are always treated extremely seriously by Waiariki and we met with students regularly as we worked through the issue with the SWRB.  We are very happy that in the end we have been able to work with the Board to get a favourable decision for our graduates� says Snook.

Because of the high Maori population in our region it is essential there are social workers with an understanding and empathy for our culture, states Mr Montero Daniels, chair of Te Mana Matauranga, Waiariki's iwi education authority.  "It is great that the BASS Kaupapa Maori graduates have been recognised by the Board."

Earlier this month the quality assurance monitors working for ITPQ (Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics � Quality) visited Waiariki.  Their report confirmed that the Waiariki BASS now meets the approval and accreditation requirements. 

The report highlighted the significant progress that has been made in all aspects of the degree and Waiariki is able to continue to teach out the remaining students enrolled on their degree.  

�Together the students, WITSA and Waiariki have joined together to achieve the outcome that everyone was looking for and we�re delighted it has been achieved,� says Mr Fred Zinsli, president (2005) Waiariki Institute of Technology Student Association (WITSA).     

During the process of resolving the BASS quality issues, Waiariki made strong linkages with Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology).  Opportunities for working together to create a win-win situation for students were identified.  Waiariki will host the Wintec BASS degree on their Rotorua campus, from the start of next year. Waiariki staff will teach both the Wintec and the remaining Waiariki students.  Wintec�s BASS is also offered at Tairawhiti Polytechnic and is a very well respected social work qualification, according to Snook.  

�We�re excited to be able to offer Wintec�s degree from next year�, says Snook.  �This is good news for the students, staff and the community because the degree has the strength of three polytechnics behind it plus the benefit of our excellent tutors.  It means that the region still has a degree level qualification in social work being offered here.�

Acknowledgement needs to be given to everyone who has supported and helped these issues be concluded in such a positive way, according to Mr Deryck Shaw, chair of Waiariki council.  �Members of our community, including MPs Steve Chadwick and Te Ururoa Flavell and the social work advisory committee have all contributed to the outcomes we�re seeing now and it�s great to be ending the year on a high with excellent news for our BASS students and graduates.� 

Collaboration between institutes is encouraged by the government.  As an example, Waiariki offers Waikato University�s Post-Graduate Diploma in Management Studies in Rotorua.  Similar joint ventures are expected to grow throughout the sector and Waiariki is currently exploring more of these for the future, according to Snook.      

Students wishing to find out more or start the Rotorua based Wintec BASS degree in 2006 can contact Waiariki on 0800 92 42 74. 

 http://www.waiariki.ac.nz

Notes

ITPQ � Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics � Quality: monitors the quality of qualifications within the ITP sector, www.itpq.ac.nz