New School Director ready for the challenge

From becoming a registered nurse to obtaining her Ph.D. in Management, the new director of the School of Māori Enterprise, Business and Technology has a broad skill set and is ready to challenge traditional modes of educational delivery. Jan Lockett- Kay, the newly appointed director, began her journey with WITT 12 years ago.  

Jan moved into tertiary education when the nursing programme was first established at Palmerston North Technical Institute, now known as UCOL, and has taught many higher-level studies, including postgraduate health service management and hotel management.

While Jan has had many highlights throughout her career, her motivation for the education industry stems from the people she can engage with along the way.

"I love working with young people, and I think that learning and career development transform the way people see the world and engage with it,” Jan says.

"It's a privilege to be a part of this transformation that happens within students while they are on their study journey, and this is what gives me the greatest satisfaction in my work."

The applied nature and practical elements of the WITT programmes have helped encourage Jan to challenge the traditional modes of educational delivery.

"The thing I love about WITT is the applied nature of the education. It's relevant to the real world and prepares graduates to hit the ground running, so they are well prepared for demands and opportunities."

"I love the change in pedagogies and how emerging knowledge becomes a reality. Approaches to teaching and traditional models are being challenged, and new interpretation of blending delivery is emerging.”

Jan is passionate about engaging her tutors and other kaimahi with the Taranaki community and embraces the change the move to Te Pūkenga is bringing.

"For a regional polytechnic, the move to Te Pūkenga is a great move, and WITT will be strengthened as a result. I already feel like I'm a part of a nation-wide team with diverse expertise and willingness to work together and I'm excited for the future of Taranaki tertiary education."