ACG Group wins Exporter of the Year Award

ACG (Academic Colleges Group) was the recipient of the Air New Zealand Cargo Exporter of the Year Award in the Consultants and Services Category, at the annual awards ceremony held at the Auckland Langham Hotel on Friday.

Founded in 1994, ACG now owns and operates seven schools in New Zealand, two in Vietnam and one in Indonesia, with over 5000 students and 500 teaching staff. From small beginnings with one school in Auckland (ACG Senior college) it has expanded through this country and taken its success overseas, exporting New Zealand education to the world.

The judges of the award say a factor in ACG’s success has been the ability to identify and grasp market opportunities. The Group has a strong asset base, owning all buildings it operates from, and has established a network of strategic partnerships with tertiary providers and other key agencies.

The judges were impressed with ACG’s uncompromising approach to quality in both education and service, underpinned by academic and management staff of the highest quality, an extremely effective head office operation and consistent policies and procedures across all facilities. They said "This, together with high level support to students and staff and a comprehensive communication system, contributes directly to ACG’s reputation and academic outcomes. This is an extremely well-run company, with a strong policy framework and a carefully planned strategy for sustainable growth, and was a clear stand-out for this export award."

Clarence van der Wel, Deputy Chief Executive says "We are delighted to have achieved this award. The Board and our CEO Ian King believed strongly in the opportunities that were available in the export market so over the past 15 years we have seen our export earnings grow from nothing to $40 million. NZ’s annual education export earnings exceed $2 Billion so education is a significant contributor to the economy. ACG is proud to be part of this industry and we look forward to further growth in the years ahead.

"We are in an exciting industry as it is our job to shape young minds and characters so that attitudes to learning and life are bred, which will ultimately have an influence on the world at large. ACG provides a clear educational philosophy focussing on the individual. Students are encouraged to develop a passion for learning with the focus on excellence. It is this vision for education that gives the ACG a strong sense of purpose and drives further expansion in New Zealand and overseas. It is this vision that has enabled ACG to achieve much in only a few short years.

"I would like to acknowledge the ACG Board and our hard working staff, many of whom have been with ACG from the beginning. Ultimately they are the people that have made ACG what it is today – a highly successful and strongly focused education company”.

ENDS

For more information contact Alexia Santamaria on 021 337772