The regulator of universities and higher education providers, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), has granted the Australian Industrial Systems Institute (AISI) the status of a Higher Education Provider (HEP) that is equivalent to university status.

Kontea Pty Ltd which trades as AISI had a long history in offering courses in Construction Engineering said the AISI Managing Director and CEO Roula Tsiolas who added that the new accreditation, announced on 4 September, placed the institute in a position to address the needs of students and graduates in the field while also meeting the needs of the building and construction industry.

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“The accreditation of the Honours Degree program allows our Institute to further enhance its pathway programs which start at AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) Level 3, and now move right through to AQF Level 8,” she said.

Thanks to its new HEP status, the AISI would be able to offer credits to Diploma of Building and Construction as well as to Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction Management graduates. Ms Tsiolas said this would provide the graduates with a worthwhile study pathway into an Honours degree program

“For example, if a student has completed the Diploma of Building and Construction, then selects the Bachelor of Building and Construction Management (Honours) Degree, the student is able to save between $45,000 and $50,000 in total tuition fees paid, compared with Deakin, RMIT and Victoria University,” she said.

The AISI HEP, she said,  would offer close to 30 per cent more contact time for students and their trainers, compared to other providers. This would be enhanced with the smaller class numbers for more immersive and engaging learning environments.

Ms Tsiolas added that the AISI HEP curriculum was based on practical programs and site visits and there was a strong connection with industry through guest speakers and the academic staff of the institute. There were also opportunities for work placements and work-integrated learning.

The honours degree would place AISI graduates in an ideal position to take advantage of the high global demand for their qualifications in a priority industry with strong future growth prospects.

“Construction Management is in the medium- and long-term Strategic Skills in Demand List,” said Ms Tsiolas.