More than 1000 prospective ākonga | learners and their whānau attended Open Day on Saturday 13 September to see how training with MIT can connect to exciting careers.
For some, it will have been their first time they have been through our doors, for others they may have attended Trades Academy or have whānau who studied with us previously.
Whatever their level of familiarity with MIT, it’s our job to make everyone feel welcome, allow visitors to gain information they need to make a decision on what’s best for their futures, take a tour of our modern facilities and even go through the application process on the day.
“One aspect of our Open Day experience we pride ourselves on is the availability of lecturing staff and especially our Heads of Schools to directly connect with learners, answering questions on what we have to offer,” MIT & Unitec Executive Director Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.
“It’s important those looking at studying with us know that at MIT we focus on the individual needs of each learner and want to support everyone to succeed,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga.
Nunia Namana, who is applying for Bachelor of Nursing – Pacific, says the staff who showed her around Nursing School were very welcoming.
“I feel very comfortable here. It’s a great space to come and learn. I’m doing nursing because I’ve always loved helping people and doing service for others.”
Nunia’s father Sevanaia Namana, originally from Fiji, says it was good to talk directly with the lecturers.
“You can read the pamphlets and brochures but coming here to witness it yourself is a different thing. Coming to MIT is a great opportunity,” he says.
Tyrone Barrett, who is currently at Pukekohe High school, has put in an application for a mechanical engineering course and took a tour of our TechPark campus on the day.
“It looks really good. I like that all the different facilities are in the same area. The engineering teacher I met was really nice. He told me what would happen; how all the different engineering classrooms would work.”
Janet Wang, who plans to study Early Childhood Education at MIT Ōtara, visited both Manukau-based campuses with some other prospective international learners from her church.
“It’s been excellent. I already talked to the lecturer who told me all about the course including the Māori cultural aspects. It sounds great.”
Visitors take a tour of TechPark at MIT Open Day.
Tours of the various schools were held at both Manukau and TechPark campuses.
Service providers were there to highlight the wrap around support ākonga can expect at MIT. This includes the Children’s Education Centre at MIT Ōtara campus, Student Council and the Student Support Services team
The schools also ran engaging activities like School of Sport’s vertical jump test, Business School’s virtual reality tour and Digital Technologies’ digital quiz.
Sevanaia Namana (left) with his daughter Nunia visiting the Nursing School at Manukau campus.
