Phil Ker

Phil is a co-founder and Director of Auckland International Campus. He led Otago Polytechnic as Chief Executive for 16 years, from 2004 to 2020, and during that time partnered with FutureSkills to establish AIC in 2012. 

Phil has had a long career as both an academic and an administrator in university and polytechnic settings, including as Executive Director of Corporate Services at Auckland University of Technology. He taught economics, accounting, management and tertiary teaching practice, and led staff development, student services, human resources and property functions. His expertise spans curriculum development, assessment of student learning and leadership, with particular interests in business education, education for sustainability, leadership development and the recognition of prior learning. 

His previous governance roles include directorships of the Tertiary Accord of New Zealand, TANZ eCampus Ltd, the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics, JBA Ltd and the Malcam Charitable Trust, and Executive Director of the Post Secondary International Network. 

Phil was conferred an honorary Doctor of Professional Practice by Otago Polytechnic. He holds a Master of Education (Administration) with First Class Honours from Massey University, a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Auckland and a Trained Teachers Certificate from Auckland College of Education. He also completed the Management and Leadership in Education programme at Harvard University.