UCOL offers a range of support services, with an emphasis on accessible support for study, to improve outcomes for our students. Our support services (The Personal Education Plan and our Palmerston North Student Information Centre) have both won the highest awards from New Zealand ITP, for excellence and innovation.
We are focused on improvement and evolution to meet changing needs. Over the last two years we have re-organised and enhanced student support services to provide more accessible support to students throughout their studies. This includes centralising and creating learning hubs with access to computers, which have already contributed to student success.
Our Student Success Project updated and coordinated services that work and added new ones in line with changing times (Moodle technology and wireless computer facilities).
We also focused on particular groups, as pilots. For example, the success rate for first year students on our Bachelor of Exercise and Sport programme increased from 56% in 2008 to more than 70% in 2009.
“New learning coaches who provide on the ground support to Maori students to improve their chances of success are also making a difference. “We have some great people who relate well to the students and care about giving them the support they need. There has been a six per cent improvement in Maori student course completions since 2009 for those studying level 1-3 programmes”.