Technology joint venture leads China partnerships

A new joint venture set to teach 1,200 Chinese students a year once fully operational has been announced by Otago Polytechnic, in partnership with the Hunan Institute of Engineering.

The agreement marks a significant step forward in strengthening Otago Polytechnic's collaboration in China.

The deal was signed at the 2025 China Annual Conference & Expo for International Education (CACIE 2025), which Otago Polytechnic attended as part of a delegation of tertiary institutions led by Dr Shane Reti, Minster of Universities and Science, Innovation and Technology.

New Zealand was recognised as the ‘Country of Honour’ at CACIE, one of China’s largest international education events which attracts more than 35,000 people.

The delegation also attended the China Education Expo (CEE), billed as the country’s biggest student recruitment fair and B2B networking event.

Max Sims - Deputy Executive Director: Operations and Ying Mao - Business Development Manager represented Otago Polytechnic at both events, and were proud to finalise new partnership agreements with two Chinese tertiary institutions.

The joint venture with the Hunan Institute of Engineering will see around 300 students commencing study in China each year across three programmes...

•     Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Mechanical)
•     Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical)
•     Bachelor of Information Technology

The Chinese students will be enrolled under Otago Polytechnic’s academic framework during their four years of study, with the first intake planned for September 2026.

It’s expected the new joint institute will have approximately 1,200 students enrolled by its fourth year of operation, with the initial agreement signed for 10 years.

Max Sims says teaching staff from OP are due to begin delivering courses offshore in Hunan from September 2027, supported by two OP student administrators based at the Hunan Institute of Engineering.

“This partnership strengthens Otago Polytechnic’s presence in central China, provides pathways for Chinese students to continue their studies in New Zealand, and supports our long-term international growth strategy,” he says.

Otago Polytechnic also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Shenzhen Polytechnic University to explore collaboration in the fast-growing New Energy Vehicle sector (NEV), which includes electric cars and future transport technologies.

The partnership aims to develop a China–NZ NEV Cooperation and Training Centre as a hub for standards development, curriculum innovation, and applied training.

The MOE opens the door to creating educational resources aligned with both NZ and Chinese standards, and working with NEV enterprises on internships and applied research.

Ying Mao says the initiative positions Otago Polytechnic at the forefront of a future-focused industry, opens doors for innovation and industry partnerships, and strengthens OP’s profile in applied technology and sustainability.

“Together, these partnerships mean OP will deliver programmes offshore, serves as a platform for articulation and creating new revenue streams while offering global learning experiences for both students and staff.”