Otago Polytechnic has set itself the lofty aim of becoming a ''world-class institution'' and is starting a charitable foundation to help it get there.
Chief executive Phil Ker told Friday's council meeting an application had been lodged with the Charities Commission to register ''Otago Polytechnic Education Foundation'' as a charity.
In a report tabled at the meeting, Mr Ker said the foundation was aimed at taking the polytechnic to a ''higher level'' by raising funds to build facilities and buy new technology and equipment.
This was part of an overarching aim ''to position Otago Polytechnic as a world-class institution'', Mr Ker said in the report.
The major project being investigated - in the form of a feasibility study - as a recipient of the fund was a ''sustainability innovation centre''.
In the short term, an endowment fund would be used to support staff and students ''to engage on the world stage'' and bring top-quality expertise to the polytechnic.
Mr Ker told the council it was making progress towards its aim of being ''world class''.
''We are starting to be noticed.
''Sure it is on corners of the world stage, but you have got to start somewhere.''
The foundation sought to raise funds by holding events, such as a golf tournament earlier this year, bringing expert speakers to Dunedin, attracting sponsorship for its buildings and equipment and setting up an alumni network.
A ''non-financial'' aim of the foundation was to increase community support for the polytechnic and invest in areas which benefited the wider community.
The polytechnic had begun collating alumni data and planned to start sending quarterly emails to all known graduates by the end of this year.
It also planned to sell Otago Polytechnic merchandise and establish an alumni ''wall of fame'' by September next year.
