UCOL BLOG

The 112 square metre, three bedroom UCOL Hospice Home will be put up for auction in mid-June. Arohanui Hospice will receive the profits from the sale of the house, with a number of sponsors giving generously to ensure costs are kept low.

Three of the students involved in the construction have links with Arohanui Hospice and say this gives them an even greater incentive to complete the house. Read More: “Hospice Home inspires UCOL students”…

The Wairarapa recipient of new Universal College of Learning Council Honours was announced at UCOL Wairarapa’s graduation ceremony in Masterton today.

UCOL Council Chair Trevor Goodwin says the new awards, made for the first time this year, honour people who have made a contribution to UCOL, the wider community and society.

The Manager of Wairarapa Addiction Services, Mary Freeman, receives a UCOL Institutional Medal for particularly meritorious services to UCOL, the wider community and to society.

Read More: “UCOL Honour for Mary Freeman”…

UCOL academic staff members have received straight As in an assessment by their students.

UCOL’s annual Student Satisfaction Survey, covering teaching, student support, facilities and costs at all three campuses, has produced A ratings – for Very Satisfactory – for teaching staff.

Student Services, Computer and Library facilities also receive a Very Satisfactory rating. So does the students’ ratings for UCOL as a whole, their schools and programmes, their expectation of success in completing their qualification and UCOL’s role in improving their career prospects.

Read More: “Straight A report card for UCOL teachers”…

 The purpose of these visits is to be able to look, listen and learn from  what is happening in your classrooms so that I can offer better  leadership and understand  what needs you might have in your teaching. 

I just want to assure you that this will not be part of any formal appraisal but I will email you to thank you for having me your class after I have visited.  Because the visits will not be pre-arranged, if I arrive at a time that is particularly inconvenient you will be able to tell me that and I will come back at another time.  

Read More: “Good Teaching @ UCOL”…

Hard work and commitment has paid off for 177 UCOL graduates who earned degrees, certificates and diplomas at UCOL Wairarapa last year.
Many  of the new graduates will attend this Thursday’s annual Graduation Ceremony in Masterton, to receive new qualifications.

Campus Manager Angela Hewitt says many programmes have other qualifications embedded in them, so students may come away with several nationally recognised qualifications. “It adds to their employability when they move into the job market,” she says.

Although the numbers attending graduation ceremonies have been increasing in recent years, Angela says many students have already been snapped up by employers, some outside the region, making attendance difficult. “But it’s for the best possible reason,” she says. “We’re always delighted to hear that our graduates have been successful in careers of their choice.” Read More: “177 graduate on UCOL Wairarapa anniversary”…

The Whanganui recipient of new Universal College of Learning Council Honours was announced at Whanganui UCOL’s graduation ceremony today.

The awards, made for the first time this year, honour people who have made an outstanding contribution to UCOL, the wider community and to society.

UCOL kaumatua and Whanganui iwi representative John Maihi receives the highest honour of Honorary Fellow, for an outstanding and distinguished contribution.

Council Chair Trevor Goodwin says Mr Maihi was a Ministerial appointment on UCOL’s Council from 2002 until 2010 and has been the Kaumatua for the Whanganui campus for many years.
“As Kaumatua, John possesses a strong sense of responsibility for the welfare of his people but goes about his work quietly and does not draw attention to himself. In spite of his quiet approach, his service to the community and iwi is well known. His wisdom is widely respected.”

He says Mr Maihi continues to contribute to UCOL and the greater Whanganui community in many ways and provides a role model for staff, students and the community. “UCOL is very fortunate to have the commitment of a person of his mana and standing,” he says.

Mr Goodwin says UCOL represents only a small part of Mr Maihi’s larger commitments and work. “He has also been recognised by the wider community for his service and involvement on the Whanganui District Council, Regional Council, Whanganui Regional Community Polytechnic, Whanganui District Health Board, Social Welfare agencies, WINZ, Police and prisons, as well as a large number of Government and iwi organisations.”

Mr Maihi has been the kaiwhakahaere (chairman) of Wanganui’s Tupoho hapu for more than 20 years and works part-time as Maori liaison officer at Wanganui District Council.

He also chairs Te Puna Matauranga o Whanganui, his tribe’s education authority, and the Maori development organisation Nga Tai o Te Awa and is a deputy chair of the Whanganui River Maori Trust Board.

Mr Maihi says he is pleased to receive the UCOL Honour and looks forward to working with UCOL for the advancement of Maori educational aspirations, through the establishment of a centre for tertiary education for Whanganui iwi and Maori students. “I believe education is the key to a successful future for our people,” Mr Maihi says.

Palmerston North chartered accountant and former Deputy Chair of the UCOL Council Malcolm Pettman has also been made an Honorary Fellow, for an outstanding and distinguished contribution to UCOL and the wider community. A third Honour will be announced at UCOL’s Wairarapa graduation ceremony next week.