Open Day the answer for those with questions about study

Close to a thousand prospective students registered interest at the latest Ara | Te Pūkenga Open Days, seeking information about courses starting soon or gathering ideas for 2024.

The event was held at Ara’s City, Woolston, Manawa and Timaru campuses. Students and their whānau had the opportunity to talk to tutors, attend information sessions or grab a coffee and take a look around.

Ara | Te Pūkenga Manager Youth and Community Development Mark Simons said tours were popular and many of the information sessions were standing room only.

“We were delighted to have more than eight hundred people pre-register ahead of the event. We had enrolments for second semester courses on the spot and we’re looking forward to staying in touch with others as their study plans take shape for next year.”

Simons said the team had conversations with potential students and whānau members from all over the country – some flying in from other main centres or driving for a day to ensure they had one-on-one time with our tutors and support teams.

One of those was Courtney Riordan who travelled with her parents from Collingwood at the top of the South Island to find out more about study in animal science

Courtney’s mum Chantelle said it was well worth the trip. “It’s been a long day, but we wanted to see Ara first hand. My husband and I never did tertiary study - we just left school and that was that. Courtney wants to do vet nursing and so we just came to see what it’s about and how it works.”

The “one-stop shop” of Open Day was ideal for potential student Narkesha Katene who had a lot of bases to cover.

“I’m looking at hair and beauty and trades,” she said. “But I think what I really want to do is work outside - maybe in roading. I want to work outdoors, get outside and travel so I’m just here to see what study options I like really.”

Mum, Chevon, said the open day was new ground for her. “We never had this when we were at school so it’s really interesting and a good help too,” she said.

Enquiries were made into a wide range of the study options on offer from certificate to postgraduate qualifications. The Open Day team also fielded questions about scholarships, student services and enrolment.

Eli Leonard was gearing up to get started after working part-time in the first half of the year.

“I’m looking at civil engineering and wanted to find out the difference between the two-year diploma and the third year getting the degree,” he said. “I feel like the learning environment is better with the smaller classes - unlike uni with like 300 people in a lecture room. I think it would be easier to learn here.”

Leonard’s mum Debbie agreed it was the practical approach they wanted to know more about. “He was looking seriously down the university route and then we heard that Ara was more hands on and perhaps more suitable to Eli’s learning and so we thought we’d check it out and ask all the questions we had in our heads.”

The nursing and medical imaging information sessions also saw plenty of questions from prospective students attending in person and online.

Candace Davey, currently doing an undergraduate degree in linguistics, came to find out more about midwifery. “I really want to do something clinical so that’s why I’m here. My heart’s pretty set but I just want to find out more about the course and what it’s about,” she said.

The Ministry of Awesome, located in Te Ōhaka, Christchurch’s Centre for Growth and Innovation on Ara’s City campus said its stand fielded strong interest.

“It was great to be able to showcase the opportunities available for ākonga to connect with startups on campus or even discover their own hidden entrepreneurial talent,” Ministry of Awesome Head of Programmes Zach Warder-Gabaldon said.

“Open Day is a great way to present the 150-plus options we have for those seeking to secure the skills they need for the job they want,” Simons said.

“While it’s one chance to connect with potential ākonga in person, our team is only a call away for those wanting to find out more.”