NZMA has partnered with Ara Institute of Canterbury to provide a pathway for NZMA students studying a hospitality diploma to complete a degree at Ara in Christchurch. Students now have the option of continuing their studies within the hospitality industry by transferring 180 credits from NZMA and completing the degree at Ara, within three years.
“We are always looking at ways to help our students strive to be their best,” said NZMA CEO Mark Worsop. “Being able to offer the option of a degree with Ara gives our students an edge with experience in both Auckland and Christchurch, and invaluable qualifications from two industry well-respected educators.”
The Ara Bachelor of International Tourism & Hospitality Management has been created in direct response to industry needs for skilled professionals to fill management roles in the booming New Zealand tourism and hospitality sector. The degree is delivered in Christchurch, giving students access to a vast range of hospitality and tourism industry providers in the South Island’s visitor gateway city. Ara students complete two major industry-based projects as part of the degree, ensuring graduates are work-ready and have first-hand experience and connections with the local tourism and hospitality sector.
Ara Tourism & Hospitality Degree leader Dr Michael Shone said the new pathway will offer NZMA graduates an ideal opportunity to build upon their existing training and gain a higher qualification for a growing industry sector.
“The Christchurch tourism and hospitality sector continues to flourish,” he explained. “As we see the new convention centre and more hotel capacity being developed in the city we can expect strong demand for tourism and hospitality management professionals. Ara’s Bachelor of International Tourism and Hospitality Management graduates are ideally placed to meet that demand.”
With the agreement now signed, NZMA and Ara will collaborate on promoting the pathway to the NZMA student and graduate community, ahead of the next intake for the Ara Bachelor of International Tourism & Hospitality Management in Christchurch on February 2019.
