NZSATCM New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

1. Quality Education

Over the years, the School has produced hundreds of graduates who are highly-skilled and meticulous acupuncture practitioners. The precise clinical skills acquired at the School are used to achieve accurate diagnoses and successful treatments, and enable the graduates to work professionally in local and international environments.

The teaching curriculum prepares graduates to establish their own practices. Over 80% of the students, within two years of their graduation, have established their own practice in New Zealand and overseas countries.

The external advisory committee provides recommendations to ensure the education and training services are current, relevant and at an acceptable professional standard.

The teachers are experienced and dedicated professionals who use easy-to-understand and interactive teaching methods. They are passionate in imparting their knowledge and skills to students, and will go the extra mile for students needing support and assistance. Students benefit greatly from the teachers’ extensive international experience, as well as their expertise in the running of TCM clinics.

2. Student Support

The School prides itself as a small education and training organisation. The small class size facilitates congenial teacher-student interaction. The library resources and online journals supplement the teachers’ handouts. The opportunity to observe clinics and treat patients prepares students to be work-ready.

The School operates in a multi-tasking and multi-skilling team environment where staff willingly step in another’s shoes to ensure that a critical function is satisfactorily accomplished in the best interest of the students. Learning support is in place for students needing extra tuition. Welfare of the students is dealt with by dedicated staff who have access to resources such as external counselling services. For international students, the School has an arrangement with an external agency to provide airport pickup and homestay arrangement.

3. Community Responsibility

A partnership between the School and Hutt Valley Hospital is blazing a trail on providing cost-effective health services for pregnant women. An acupuncture antenatal clinic set up within the outpatients department of the Hospital is bringing significant medical improvements to women suffering a range of pregnancy-related medical problems.

The clinic, the first of its kind in the country, was set up in June 2008. The innovative arrangement allows midwives undertaking advanced acupuncture courses at the School to gain practical experience at the Hospital.

By providing space and staff support, the Hospital gains through the provision of a free acupuncture service. The partnership between the School and the Hospital provides a new way of providing effective treatment at very low costs, especially to those least able to afford it.

4. Strategic Alliances

The School’s close association with New Zealand Register of Acupuncturists (NZRA) entitles students to free student membership with the Register. Membership benefits include professional networking, access to journals and library resources, and keeping abreast with the current TCM events and development.

The School’s collaboration with some leading TCM universities in China has opened door for students to participate in an internship programme, pursue postgraduate studies, and engage in joint research projects with students in China

5. Internship Programme

The School’s internship programme offers students the hands-on learning opportunities outside the classroom.

Senior students have the opportunity to visit the School’s partner universities in China, the birth place of TCM. The on-the-spot clinical observation and training at the university campuses and their affiliated hospitals enhance the students’ understanding and appreciation of TCM, and allow them to gain exposure to a different cultural environment. In return, students are awarded academic credits for achieving the learning goals.