Vice-Chancellor's update | Friday 11 October

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Fri Oct 11 2024 13:00:00 GMT+1300 (New Zealand Daylight Time)

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Kia ora tātou,

It has been a week of outstanding achievement across many areas of the University.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025

THE announced new rankings, and I am pleased to report that we have maintained a strong position among the world's best universities. Our ranking has moved to =152 from =150 the previous year, however we have improved our relative position given the growth in the number of universities evaluated and against increasing global competition. This is no small achievement and is an excellent result for the University, reflecting our unwavering commitment to academic excellence and research impact on a global scale. You can read more about the result on our News pages [https://uoa.custhelp.com/rd?1=AvN8~wrtDv8S~xb~Gv_U~yIolaoqdR37ufQxSz7~Pv~4&2=41554].

2024 Blues Awards

Congratulations to all our students honoured at the 2024 Blues Awards last week. They received nine major awards and 116 Blues across four categories - Arts and Cultural, Business and Innovation, Service and Leadership, and Sports. Find out more on our News pages [https://uoa.custhelp.com/rd?1=AvN8~wrtDv8S~xb~Gv_U~yIolaoqdR37ufQxSz7~Pv~4&2=41555].

National Tertiary Football Cup

Congratulations to the University's men's football team, who defended their title as National Tertiary Football Cup champions at Eden Park on the weekend. They are now advancing to the FISU Oceania Qualifier in Australia. Through the University's official education and research partnership with Eden Park, we have access to the No. 1 field for one day each year and were thrilled to be able to host the weekend's competition on the hallowed ground.

Transition to new faculty arrangements

The transition to creating a new faculty and integrating the School of Architecture and Planning and the Design Programme with the Faculty of Engineering is progressing. Consultation on the proposed academic leadership and professional staff structures has closed, with outcomes to be communicated in late October. The Faculty Transition Leadership Team is also working on several initiatives, including operational continuity plans, scholarships, hiring and grant processes and new faculty names. Please refer to the website for frequently asked questions in relation to the new faculty arrangements [https://uoa.custhelp.com/rd?1=AvN8~wrtDv8S~xb~Gv_U~yIolaoqdR37ufQxSz7~Pv~4&2=41556].

Update from Council meeting

This week, the University Council considered Senate's advice to pause the Curriculum Framework Transformation (CFT) programme. Council acknowledged the concerns raised by Senate members. Council noted that some policy and regulatory approvals are already in place for the 2025 academic year, while others are pending for elements including the transdisciplinary courses and expanded learning components. Council has requested further advice from management, Senate and faculty sub-committees on the direction and benefits of the CFT programme for its March 2025 meeting. While preparatory work will need to continue in the meantime, such advice is required before further policy and regulatory decisions are made.

Ngā mihi nui,

Dawn

Professor Dawn Freshwater Vice-Chancellor Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland

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