# Institute of the Pacific United

Institute of the Pacific United is a Japanese and New Zealand private tertiary educational institution based in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Another network of the institute is International Pacific University, which was established in 2007 in Okayama, Japan. Students of IPU New Zealand come from more than 20 different countries around the world.
IPU New Zealand mainly offers tertiary education of business (including accounting, finance, marketing and management), international relations, linguistics, environmental studies and tourism. IPU New Zealand offers the following courses:
* Master of Contemporary International Studies (MCIS) and Postgraduate Diploma of International Studies (PDCIS): the MCIS and PDCIS are designed to prepare students in international business, international relations and sustainable development.
* Graduate Diploma of Contemporary International Studies: the program is designed for students who already hold an undergraduate degree and are willing to expand their knowledge in fields related to Language Studies, International Business, and International Relations.
* Bachelor of Contemporary International Studies (BCIS): the program provides students with opportunities to explore key areas and within them to specialize in a number of fields including International Business, International Relations, Japanese Studies, and TESOL & Language Studies.
* TESOL : IPU New Zealand offers short-term intensive training courses for in-service teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL).
* Level 1-5 English Language Studies: IPU New Zealand’s Level 1-5 English Language Studies programs are designed for students who want to develop their English language competence. The courses are based on learner-centered communicative classrooms, each one focused on one communication skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing).
The institution had been known as International Pacific College (IPC) for 25 years until its name was officially changed to Institute of the Pacific United (IPU New Zealand) on 26 September 2015.

## Partner universities

* International Pacific University
* Foreign Trade University
* President University
* Qingdao University of Science and Technology
* Vladivostok State University of Economics and Service
* Tajik State University of Commerce
* Rangsit University
* Samarkand State University

## Controversies
### Staff redundancies

On 24 May 2013, the Manawatu Standard broke an article detailing the difficulties the reporter had getting information from the management staff as to the organisational restructure that was taking place. Sources, including previous and current employees, had revealed to the newspaper, under the condition of anonymity, that more than 10% of the work force had been "laid off, left or were "forced out" since the start of the year." Sources also revealed the extent of the institutions use of service as opposed to permanent employment contracts, and that "Management were reluctant to be upfront about the restructure because of cultural differences and the need to "save face."
President Wayne Edwards responded to the article more than a month and half later in an interview with the reporter, stating that privacy concerns had prompted the College's extended silence on the issue.