Annual Report 2006
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Annual Report 2006
Overview
In this Annual Report I want to begin with a few words about BTI and the state of Tertiary Education in NZ. 2006 was a time of adjustment for BTI. We are operating in a changing and difficult tertiary environment that has seen 19 of 20 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics and all the Universities (including even the usually secure Auckland University) facing financial difficulties.
Our student demographics have changed with approximately half of our students now learning off campus or involved in what we call flexi learning. Enrolments in counselling and family studies are increasing at a faster rate than teacher education. And there are other challenges. This environment forced us to make some difficult choices and decisions in 2006 culminating in some redundancies. BTI is fortunate in that it retains the support of itsparent the Christian Education Trust which remains committed, as far as it is able to do so, to continuing its financial support to deliver its vision for Christian Education in the tertiary sector.
Other institutions do not have that support and face uncertain futures. I am confident, however, that BTI has a certain future and will be here long after the current trustees, board of directors and academic staff have retired. All of us involved in this enterprise look to the future with hope. The vision of Biblically-based Christ centred Tertiary Education remains alive and well despite the environment and political machinations over the sector.
Despite the gloom in the tertiary sector in 2006 there was some good news. BTI has gained NZQA approval for two new programmes - the Diploma of Teaching Studies offered in Tonga and the Graduate Diploma in Christian Education to be offered fully online. It is no cake-walk to get NZQA approval. That NZQA were happy to do this without a panel visit for the Teaching Diploma is a credit to the quality of BTI. Two other programmes are in the evaluation stage with NZQA and we expect approval in the near future. These are the Bachelor of Counselling and
the Graduate Certificate in Counselling.
At our graduation this year for the 2006 graduands we celebrated the graduation of Tala’ofa Saafi from Tonga with a Bachelor of Education (Teaching). BTI has had a long link with Tonga. For the past four years BTI has been involved with the professional development of teachers in Tonga, sending staff over to Tonga every six months to build relationships with up to twenty Christian teachers in Tonga. This study will now be able to be credited to our Diploma of Teaching Studies newly approved by the NZQA referred to earlier in this Report. It is our hope that we will continue to be able to serve the people of Tonga and the cause of Christian Education in that country and elsewhere in the Pacific.
At the same time, the reputation of BTI is developing from an unknown quality to an organisation that is well respected as an academic institution of excellence. Evidencing this was the fact that early last year BTI was shortlisted along with Waikato University by MFAT to deliver teacher training to the Solomon Islands. This was after an evaluation process with a number of other tertiary providers around the country. Dr Edwards also recently received a letter from Dr Cullen the Minister for Tertiary Education and Deputy PM. In it he wrote:
"I am informed by the Tertiary Education Commission of the excellent efforts of you and your team at the Bethlehem Institute to ensure the highest quality tertiary provision for your students. I am pleased to learn of your success in maintaining the Institute at the forefront of teacher education, counselling and family studies."
To the Executive Dean, Dr Amy Edwards I say thank you for guiding BTI during this past year. You came into the job at a time that is being challenging for all tertiary providers, including BTI. With little time to get your feet under the desk you have had to adapt to a changing environment and the uniquely BTI culture. I acknowledge that it has not always been easy but you have stayed the course with a genuine commitment that I have seen totry to achieve the best for the long term future of BTI while maintaining BTI’s unique culture and the very best that can be offered for students here.
To all of the other staff, including those who have left BTI, I honour your commitment to giving the best that you have been able to give. In my short time of active service on the Board I have become aware of how committed you are to your careers and to the students that you serve. It is you who create the unique culture of BTI and who inspire these graduates to go out into the world equipped uniquely to serve in a way that only the integration of your faith in your work can achieve.
Finally, to the Board of Directors, I would like to say thank you for your commitment to BTI with your voluntary and often thankless service. During the year we were unfortunate to have two Board members resign. Lloyd Brewerton left us in August and I would like to pay tribute to his dedication and years of service. His expertise in finance has been missed. We also lost John Donald when he resigned from the Christian Education Trust in January this year. Although not a very active Director of late, John was always available for advice and guidance.
I also cannot overlook the huge contribution he made in the initial establishment and development of the Institute. The Board is currently engaged in a process of determining our needs at Board level going forward and is seeking a further independent director. In the meantime, the Board continues to provide the required governance for the organisation. I am especially grateful to our remaining independent director, Dr Rod Edwards, for his wisdom and insight.
I look forward to the challenges ahead for BTI in 2007.
Marcus Wilkins
CHAIRMAN
Board of Directors
Bethlehem Institute Ltd.
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Year 2006
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Annual Report 2006
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