Waikato Institute of Technology facts for kids
| Type | Vocational |
|---|---|
| Established | 1968 |
| Students | 13,000 (EFTS & EPTS, 2019) |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | City campus, Rotokauri/Avalon campus, and Hamilton Gardens campus |
| Website | http://www.wintec.ac.nz/ |
The Waikato Institute of Technology, also known as Wintec, is a special kind of school in the Waikato region of New Zealand. It's an institute of technology, which means it teaches practical skills for jobs. Wintec offers more than 130 different courses, including degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
Wintec helps students learn skills for many careers. These include nursing, social work, graphic design, engineering, and teaching young children. They also train people for trades, like building or mechanics. About 13,000 students, both full-time and part-time, attend Wintec. Over a quarter of these students are Māori.
Wintec's Story
Wintec first opened its doors in 1924. Back then, it was called Hamilton Technical College. Over the years, its name changed a few times. In 1968, it became the Waikato Technical Institute. Then, in 1987, it was called The Waikato Polytechnic.
The name changed to The Waikato Institute of Technology in 2001. More recently, in April 2020, Wintec joined forces with 15 other similar schools. They all became part of a bigger group called the New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology.
Where is Wintec?
Wintec has three main locations in the city of Hamilton. These places are called campuses. A campus is like a school site where classes and activities happen. Wintec also has smaller facilities in Thames and Otorohanga.
Here are the main campuses in Hamilton:
- City campus — This one is on Anglesea Street. 37°47′20″S 175°16′46″E / 37.7890°S 175.2794°E
- Rotokauri campus — You can find this campus on Akoranga Road. 37°45′41″S 175°13′50″E / 37.7614°S 175.2306°E
- Horticulture Education Centre — This campus is at Hamilton Gardens on Cobham Drive. It's where students learn about plants and gardening. 37°48′17″S 175°18′14″E / 37.8046°S 175.3039°E
Students can also live at the City and Rotokauri campuses. Wintec offers student housing there.
How Wintec is Run
Wintec is managed by a team of 11 leaders. This group includes the Chief Executive, who is the main leader. The Chief Executive reports to the Wintec Council. The Wintec Council is the main group that makes decisions for the school. They make sure Wintec runs smoothly and helps students learn.
What Can You Study?
Wintec has many different departments, often called "Centres" or "Schools." Each one focuses on a different area of study. Here are some of the exciting things you can learn at Wintec:
- Centre for Beauty Therapy, Hairdressing & Hospitality
- Centre for Business & Enterprise
- Centre for Information Technology (learning about computers and tech)
- Centre for Engineering & Industrial Design
- Centre for Health & Social Practice (like nursing and social work)
- Centre for Languages
- School of Media Arts (for creative subjects like graphic design)
- Centre for Applied Science & Primary Industries (like farming and science)
- Centre for Sport Science & Human Performance
- Centre for Trades (for hands-on skills like building)
- Centre for Research & Applied Innovation
- Centre for Education & Foundation Pathways
- Design Factory NZ
