Posted on 3 March 2020
The Open Polytechnic has taken out the top award at the Hutt Valley Business Excellence Awards held in Lower Hutt in November.
The Waiwhetu-based distance tertiary education specialist won both the Not for Profit and the Supreme Award at the awards ceremony organised by Business Hutt Valley.
The Open Polytechnic’s winning entry profiled the contribution it makes both regionally and nationally to helping upskill Kiwis through tertiary education.
Two-thirds of Open Polytechnic students fit their studies around their work commitments, using the flexibility of distance learning to gain the skills they need to get ahead in their current or future career.
Other stand outs in the winning Open Polytechnic entry included the vital role the organisation plays in the Hutt Valley economy, and the important part it plays in New Zealand's tertiary education network by complementing the services of campus-based providers.
Open Polytechnic Chief Executive Dr Caroline Seelig was on hand to accept the awards. “It’s fantastic that we have been recognised as a leading business in the Hutt Valley. We play a major role in upskilling the nation, and it’s great that we can also be acknowledged for our contribution at a regional level as well.”
“Business Hutt Valley does an excellent job organising and running these awards, and it was great to see such a large turn out of outstanding local businesses at the awards ceremony.”