The Class of 2023 Adds Another Page to a 33-Year International Education Journey
1987 – Discussion on a Pan Pacific tertiary consortium
Our tertiary institute was conceptualised in 1987, when Hiroshi Ohashi, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, with other experts in the educational field across the PacificRim nations assembled and discussed ‘an ideal model for an innovative approach to tertiary education in the 21st century'.
The discussion continued over a year and a half, delivering a new grand scheme for establishing a tertiary educational system with a consortium of campuses in Pacific-Rim nations, where credits would be transferrable and students could obtain a degree at any campus when all credits required for graduation were complete.
1990 – The journey began
Our tertiary institute – formerly known as IPC (International Pacific College) – was established as the first campus of the scheme in 1990. Criteria for this establishment as envisaged by Chairman Ohashi included: • The campus must be developed in an environment where students’ lives, assets and safety would be guaranteed. • The host country of the campus must offer globally-competitive tertiary education.
• An ideal, clean natural environment should be readily available around the campus for students to enjoy their collegiate life.
Our institute satisfied these three requirements and has successfully supported both international students living in New Zealand, away from their home countries, and domestic students looking to create an international career.
2007 – The second campus in Japan
The second campus of the scheme opened in 2007 in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. The International Pacific University (IPU Japan), whose philosophy is to combine pedagogy, teacher education and physical education, has become a leading university in Chugoku region in Japan.
Our institution, as the first campus in the scheme, has continued to develop our educational services with postgraduate qualifications – Master of Contemporary International Studies (MCIS) and Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary International Studies (PDCIS), an undergraduate degree – Bachelor of Contemporary International Studies (BCIS) with a strong emphasis on International Business as well as its other majors (International Relations, Japanese Studies, and TESOL & Language Studies), and English Language Studies (ELS) leading to New Zealand Certificates in English Language (NZCEL). In 2016, the Japanese government approved IPU Japan to launch the Bachelor of Contemporary Business Management. These developments have enabled more active exchange of students and faculty between the two campuses, which was the vision stated at the outset of
the grand scheme.
2015 – Rebranded as IPU New Zealand
Reflecting on the scheme with its proposed wide reach, an application was lodged with NZQA to change our trading name. Today we are known as the Institute of the Pacific United New Zealand, in short, IPU New Zealand (both names are officially registered). Preparations are under way for establishing of the third international campus as further development of the original grand scheme. As the first campus and the central hub of the scheme, IPU New Zealand will continue developing itself as a unique tertiary institute in the Pacific-Rim nations, with its strong focus on Asia.
2023 and beyond – The journey continues
After going through the most challenging time in our history caused by the global pandemic, IPU New Zealand is sending the Class of 2023 off to the world with their hard-earned qualifications.
In 2024, IPU New Zealand is continuing our legacy of excellence, offering exciting new programmes for study, establishing stronger links with our international network, creating greater options for our students; and sharing our pride as one of jewels of the Palmerston North landscape and cementing our long-term commitment to this fine city and rohe.