A detailed account is given of the journey followed in an innovative project to deliver four of EIT’s current BSc (Engineering) and corresponding two year Master degrees to students from Papua New Guinea (PNG) in a three+two year format whilst partnering with a local PNG college. Significant funding for most of the students is provided by a local multinational. Partnerships are considered on a range of dimensions from inter-country, EIT to local college, national professional accreditation boards, EIT and multinational and finally EIT and an Australian university.
A brief review is given of EIT’s strategic plan and some background about the proposed project with the partnering college (IBBM). It then considers a range of issues that will guide the day-to-day operation and management of the project, including resourcing, budgeting, staffing, student support, delivery, authorisation, timetabling. The challenges of using a three year Bachelor program, localisation, partnership issues and funding by a multinational are outlined.
The project will require the local college to provide campus infrastructure, some student welfare support and some administration support services, while EIT will be required to provide and manage the entire academic process, including offers of enrolment, admissions, delivery, academic and associated administration staff, student support, assessment and awards. EIT will be independently audited in relation to TEQSA’s Threshold standards by Torrens University.
One of the challenges with the rapid technology changes in engineering and technology is to ensure that the courses developed by Higher Education Providers (HEPs) match with what the local PNG job market actually requires.
The handling of both local and Australian professional engineering accreditation requirements and the use of blended delivery modes of teaching are also briefly mentioned. In conclusion, the application of this type of partnership to other Australian universities and colleges is detailed.