Posted on 3 March 2020
A brand new suite of Library and Information Studies qualifications have been launched by Open Polytechnic, New Zealand’s specialist provider of online and distance learning.
The new qualifications were launched by Chief Executive Dr Caroline Seelig during a presentation to the 2017 LIANZA conference in Christchurch earlier today.
“Open Polytechnic has spent the last three years working alongside the Library and Information sector and learning about many of the changes that are taking place,” says Dr Seelig.
“Our new qualifications include the Diploma in Library and Information Studies (Level 5) and the Bachelor of Library and Information Studies. From next year we will also launch the Graduate Certificate in Library and Information Leadership.”
These new qualifications are Open Polytechnic’s way of supporting the sector to be responsive to the modern world, Dr Seelig says.
Head of School of Health and Social Sciences Dr Raymond Young says graduates of the new programmes will be well prepared for opportunities and challenges occurring within the rapidly transforming library, archives, record and information management sectors.
“These are a strong set of qualifications that will develop students into confident, culturally competent, proactive and collaborative practitioners.”
Open Polytechnic worked with industry to plan and create these qualifications, and will continue working with industry to deliver them.
Dr Young says students can staircase through the qualifications because they have been designed to fit together.
“This is a good way for graduates to build on their skills and gain new transferable skills that enable them to progress in their careers, move into newly created roles, between sectors and into other industries.”
LIANZA President Louise LaHatte says the organisation is delighted with the co-design process that has led to the creation of these qualifications.
“By engaging so closely with the sector Open Polytechnic has been able to retain the key elements from the traditional Library and Information Body of Knowledge, while providing a curriculum that meets the needs of our current and future workforce.”
The new programmes will be delivered to learners through Open Polytechnic’s leading online learning platform iQualify.
For more information on Open Polytechnic’s new Library and Information Studies qualifications, visit: http://bit.ly/2xdZDK3