Strengthening Global Recognition Through Partnership: Seoul Accord, ITP and ACS
Over the past year, ITP New Zealand has taken a hard look at how best to uphold international standards in computing education accreditation. While we’ve long held provisional status under the Seoul Accord—a multilateral agreement that promotes quality assurance in computing and IT degrees—we recently made the considered decision to step away from the pathway to full signatory status. Instead, we’ve entered into a partnership with our Australian counterparts, the Australian Computer Society (ACS), to accredit New Zealand degrees under their internationally recognised model.
This isn’t a retreat; it’s a strategic move. Full signatory status under the Seoul Accord comes with a heavy administrative burden that simply doesn’t scale well for a small education system like ours. By working with ACS, we’re adopting a process that’s already proven, robust, and internationally respected. This collaboration allows us to bring global best practice into our local context, without building and resourcing a parallel system. At the same time, we have established a dedicated New Zealand reference group within the ACS framework to ensure our voice remains heard, and our unique cultural, educational and industry needs are well represented.
Celebrating Waikato’s Accreditation: A First Under the New Model
Last week I had the pleasure of presenting the University of Waikato with formal recognition of their School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Seoul Accord degree accreditation—the first awarded under our new partnership with ACS. For Waikato, this isn’t just a badge. It’s a mark of global credibility. It tells students that their qualification meets international standards, gives the university a competitive edge when attracting talent, and signals to employers and partners that their graduates are prepared for a global digital workforce.
The benefits go beyond recognition. Accreditation introduces structure, encourages continuous improvement, and creates a clear case for change—helping departments secure resources and backing to evolve curriculum and delivery. For universities, it’s a rigorous external review that affirms quality and identifies areas to grow. For students and industry, it offers confidence. Waikato’s achievement sets a benchmark for others and shows what’s possible when we collaborate across borders to raise the bar in digital technology education.
Dr Jessica Turner, Head of School Professor Annika Hinze, Vic and Pro Vice-Chancellor STEM Professor Geoffrey Holmes at the University of Waikato
