University plans
new outpost on Oahu
National University in Hawaii
will teach commercial diving
A new university to be established on Oahu plans to make the state the leader in commercial diving education, says a school official.
 |
|
The National University system, based in La Jolla, Calif., is expected to finalize a site for its National Polytechnic College of Engineering and Oceaneering within the next two months. Classes are expected to start in early spring.
Currently, there are no commercial diving programs available in the state, according to Foster.
"Kids in Hawaii grow up in the ocean and have tremendous water skills. National Polytechnic (part of the National University system) will present opportunities for them to build a career doing what they love," she said.
Officials are working with the military and businesses such as Sea Engineering Inc. to prepare for its commercial diving courses.
"The people coming in the class will be a cut above those coming from somewhere else, because Hawaii divers are more comfortable in the water," said Patrick Ross, vice president of Sea Engineering.
Some of the fields commercial divers are involved in include construction, underwater ship husbandry, port security, law enforcement and offshore aquaculture industry.
According to Ross, commercial diving courses were taught by the late Navy master chief diver Frederick "Bob" Delaney at Leeward Community College in the early to mid-1970s.
National Polytechnic has four locations in Southern California.
Meanwhile, National University is working with state and federal agencies to offer accredited nursing and teaching programs.
"There is a need for more capacity in those areas," said Foster. The shortage of teachers and nurses in Hawaii reflects the nationwide shortage problem, she said.
National University has 29 locations, primarily in California, and is accredited under the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Foster said they plan to establish National University Hawaii in the downtown Honolulu area.
Courses will be available online and in the evenings to accommodate those who have families and full-time jobs.
With an intensive one-course-per-month format, National University undergraduate students may obtain a degree in 2.7 years, compared with the traditional four years. Graduate students will also have an opportunity to obtain a degree in 1.9 years, officials said.
Four schools will eventually be available at the university: education, business and management, arts and sciences, and engineering and technology.
University officials have yet to finalize tuition costs for residents and nonresidents.
Foster, born and raised in Hawaii, has a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in economics from Stanford University.
Foster was the former chief executive and president of an Internet job recruiting company called HotU Inc. She also helped bring Brew Moon Restaurant & Micro Brewery to Ward Centre six years ago.
www.nu.edu