New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) has become the first tertiary education provider in New Zealand to have a degree accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and the higher education ministry.

A statement carried by the Scoop portal said the college’s three-year Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) degree would be offered by Kolej Dika, which is known for its early childhood teacher education programme.

The Bachelor of Education (ECE) is also the first New Zealand qualification to receive approval for National Higher Education Fund loans for Malaysian citizens who pursue it at Kolej Dika.

“NZTC has been working on establishing educational relationships in Malaysia for a number of years and it will be exciting to see these relationships grow to a new level in the years ahead,” NZTC chief executive Selena Fox said in the statement.

Under the partnership, diploma students can now upgrade to NZTC’s internationally recognised and accredited degree to increase their knowledge and professionalism.