Offshore Delivery Approval

Provision of distance online programmes to learners located offshore beyond 31 December 2020 for Category 3 Institutions

During the Covid-19 travel restrictions, NZQA undertook to protect and support

1. ‘stranded’ learners who had commenced on-campus, went abroad, but who subsequently were unable to re-enter New Zealand to complete their studies because of the COVID-19 travel restrictions, and
2. ‘new’ learners who had enrolled, paid their fees, and who possessed a valid visa to commence their programmes but could not attend on campus because of the travel restrictions. These temporary permissions applied to online delivery to learners located offshore and applied initially until 30 June, which was subsequently extended until 31 December 2020.

For these two categories of learners whose programmes continue into 2021 and for any future learners located offshore, NZQA requires Unitec to submit two consolidated applications which contain the following:

1. A consolidated application for Type 2 changes to amend the programmes to add Distance Online to the modes of delivery and make any other changes/additions to the programme that support delivery wholly online for the duration of the programme. These other changes must include any amendments to the programme that are required to enable learners located offshore to complete the programme. In particular, all providers must examine and address work placements, internships, etc so that all learners can graduate.
2. A consolidated single application against criteria 4 to 10 in the NZQF Offshore Programme Delivery Rules 2012 governing all of the programmes to be delivered by Distance Online mode of delivery to learners located offshore.

What do you need to do?

In order for us to complete the consolidated applications noted above, we need you to confirm that you wish to continue delivering on-line to offshore students during 2021, and to provide us with a summary of how you will meet the offshore delivery criterion requirements.

In order to complete this work, please download and complete the 2021 Offshore Online Delivery Application form as soon as is practical.

Completed forms must be returned to tkk@unitec.ac.nz by Friday 25th September. At that time we will prepare the required consolidated application form for NZQA.

Other options

NZQA have also suggested that we should clearly communicate with all of our learners and let them know what the options available to them [defer/pro-rata refund] are, and ensure that they understand that future INZ visa-related work rights may not take account of any period of online offshore learning.

Useful Resources

Templates/Forms

Relevant Policies and Procedure

AC 1.0 Academic Development and Approval Policy

NZQA Resources

Offshore Delivery overview

Offshore Delivery Rules