Construction graduate Farhat Zubair says Otago Polytechnic’s Auckland International Campus brought out the best in her.

She says the close knit environment here gives students the chance to interact with one another. 

They have the opportunity to understand different cultures and experiences, as well as learn about construction approaches and management skills.

Students can have one-on-one discussions with faculty, which helps make concepts clearer, thus boosting the confidence of individual students.

Farhat says the hands-on aspect of OPAIC allows students to convert theoretical knowledge to real-world experience, which she believes is the best way to learn.

She says OPAIC brought out the best in her. She received a Top Achiever award twice and was also chosen as a Peer Tutor. Those things helped her enhance her CV and land her first job.

During her final year of study Farhat worked part-time work as a Quantity Surveyor at Contrax Ltd, a streetscape company based in Silverdale.

“Being happy with my work they absorbed me.”

For the past year she’d been happily working with them in a full-time role.

She is responsible for measuring quantities, reading and comprehending plans and specifications, estimating and costing, dealing with clients, preparing and floating tenders and site visits among other things.

Farhat was born and raised in Nagpur, India and completed a bachelor’s degree in architecture there.

She worked at Nostri Architects for two years, but always dreamed of studying overseas.

 “I was always interested in going abroad for my further studies as I felt that I didn’t want to contain myself and wanted to grow as a professional and also as an individual.”

She became interested in New Zealand after her sister got married and settled here.

 “She used to chat with me on video calls and I got absolutely fascinated by the lush greenery and purity of the place.”

Her brother-in-law, an agent who has been living her for about 15 years, helped her research schools here.

OPAIC’s interactive culture, study environment, and placement opportunities appealed to them.

Farhat says she also liked that OPAIC offers the opportunity to study two qualifications, the National Diploma in Quantity Surveying and the National Diploma in Construction Management, in two years.

“That was the cherry on the cake. I decided that was apt and suited me the best.”