Dean gives students confidence

A Wintec academic had told students that despite impediments
of Covid, “we would never fail you.”

Wintec, which has about 13,000 students, incorporates
industry placement into many of their courses and Wintec Dean Shelley Wilson
acknowledged the completion of these placements was “a big concern” of staff.

“We are working hard to do our best to ensure that students
will complete in time,” she said.

Classes during level 3 are being provided digitally.

Where placements are necessary, “this
is a time where we can be a little bit more flexible, we have given tutors a
little bit more authority to make judgements on extensions,” Wilson added.

There is also the possibility of
modifying assessment criteria in a way that still meets learning goals.

Wintec has been working closely with the Waikato DHB to
arrange ways for its health students to continue clinical placements.

The University of Waikato has also
adopted a flexible approach to their course requirements. Many of their B
trimesters exams have been moved online.

“Our staff are also
very mindful of the challenges our students face while studying fully online
and are responsive to their needs.” a spokesperson said.

Wintec is keeping up to date lists of its students’
technology needs and can provide devices where necessary.  Financial support through the Manaaki
grant is also available to students.

To the students who are worried about not meeting assessment deadlines because of the lockdown, Wilson says: “we would never fail you, we would put your results on hold.”