Together is 2011
Kia ora tatou,
When I reflect on 2011, I feel it is a year that has brought New Zealand closer together. In February, the lives of many were changed forever with the tragic Canterbury earthquake. From disaster, we witnessed the true spirit of communities shining through as friends, families, neighbours, colleagues and strangers rallied around one another to gain strength and carry on. More recently, the Rugby World Cup has given us an opportunity to celebrate together and show what we as a nation are capable of delivering to the world.
Throughout all the highs and lows this year, I’ve witnessed Unitec students coming together to support each other and those in need. From the red and black ‘Sounds in the Sun’ concert, which raised almost $7000 for the people of Christchurch, to canned food drives and volunteer expos in the Hub – you have demonstrated your connection to our communities and I am proud of the contribution you make to New Zealand.
To recognise students who have given back to their communities and performed consistently well academically, Unitec presented 155 students with a $2000 study award in June. A number of students and staff were also awarded funding from Unitec’s newly established Environmental Sustainability Fund to help support projects or research that would positively benefit our environment.
Sustainability was in fact a key requirement in the development of our new Northern Campus. Those of you studying in Albany will have noticed a campus recycling programme, designated carpooling spaces, a worm farm and public transport on your doorstep. Many of these initiatives will be rolled out to our other campuses during 2012. Our decision to invest in a Northern Campus was driven by the desire to provide students to the north of the bridge with access to high quality vocational education that was close to home. This campus will also help us to expand our trades-based programmes, which will help us respond to the demand presented by the Canterbury rebuild and the long term needs of Auckland.
This year we celebrated a couple of significant milestones in the life of Unitec.
In February we recognised 25 years of nursing with an event for past and present students and staff. Another highlight was the 10 year anniversary of our Waitakere campus. Our growth over the past decade has transformed Unitec into a key part of the Henderson landscape. In that time, more than 36,000 students have walked through our doors.
Our Mt Albert campus has also been a focus this year, with more than $7million invested in the upgrade and refurbishment of facilities, with more to come over the summer break, especially with lecture theatre refurbishment. We’ve also made real headway this year with improving our internet bandwith. And most importantly we have worked closely with staff to help develop their capabilities across a number of fronts, especially in e-learning and in creating a more dynamic, living curriculum.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the outgoing USU President Pete Hodkinson, for making a significant contribution to Unitec and its students. I’m also looking forward to working with Shannon and the entire USU team next year in new and exciting ways!
Rick Ede