Vice-Chancellor's Update | 21 November 2024
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Thu Nov 21 2024 13:00:00 GMT+1300 (New Zealand Daylight Time)
Kia ora tātou
This week we celebrated the blessing of the new Hiwa, Recreation Centre ahead of its opening next week. The centre’s new name ‘Hiwa’, named after the youngest star in the Matariki cluster and meaning vigorous, active, robust and sound, was revealed. Find out more in the article: Dawn blessing marks new beginning for Recreation Centrehttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/intranet/stay-informed/staff-communications/notices/new-rec-centre-opens.html.
Future Executive and Senior Leadership Team With the creation of the Faculty of Arts and Education (see below) and the recent announcement that the Provost will be leaving the University at the end of this year, I will be taking the opportunity over the coming weeks to review membership of the University Executive Committee (UEC) with the aim of having a revised UEC and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) approach for the forthcoming year.
Dean of Law Staff in the Law School have been invited to submit an expression of interest to be the Acting Dean of Law until 30 June 2025. It is the intention that the process will be completed prior to Christmas and the new Acting Dean will start at the beginning of the year.
New Faculty names confirmed Following staff and student consultation, the name for the new faculty incorporating the current Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education and Social Work, Elam School of Fine Arts, School of Music, and Dance Programme, has been agreed as the Faculty of Arts and Education, with the Te Reo name of Te Pūtahi Mātauranga, meaning ‘the confluence of knowledges/disciplines, and of knowing’.
The name for the expanded Engineering Faculty, encompassing the School of Architecture and Planning and the Design Programme, will be the Faculty of Engineering and Design. The Faculty’s Te Reo name is currently in development.
Research Honours Researchers from the University of Auckland excelled at the 2024 Royal Society Awards held last night, with seven academics recognised for their significant contributions to Aotearoa New Zealand. The awards celebrate excellence across various disciplines, highlighting the impact of research on society and the importance of collaboration in achieving these successes. Find out more in the article: University researchers shine at 2024 Awardshttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2024/11/21/royal-society-2024-UoA-winning-researchers.html.
The Health Research Council’s Beaven Medal was also awarded at the event to a team from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department. The team won the Medal for excellence in translational health research, recognising their studies into the treatment of gynaecological and fertility conditions. Read more in the article: World-leading gynaecology research recognised.https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2024/11/21/Cindy-Farquhar-Beavan-Medal.html
Earlier this month, the Royal Society also recognised University staff in the Aotearoa New Zealand Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships, awarded to develop future research leaders and enhance equity and diversity within science, innovation and technology. Congratulations to the recipients for their excellent work. Find out more in the article: Royal Society supports future research leaders.https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2024/11/15/royal-society-fellowships-awarded-to-eight-university-researchers.html
2024 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers This year six academics from the University have been named in this prestigious annual list, highlighting the global impact of their research. Congratulations to all. Find out more about this year’s recipients on our News pageshttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2024/11/19/university-researchers-ranked-in-top-one-percent-in-world.html.
End of year closedown As we approach the end of the year, a reminder that the University will be closed from Monday 23 December 2024 to Friday 3 January 2025 (inclusive). And importantly, after another very full year I hope that you are able to find time to relax and recharge. Further details are available on the Annual Leave intranet pagehttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/intranet/work-personal/my-hr/leave/annual-leave.html.
Ngā mihi nui Dawn
Professor Dawn Freshwater Vice-Chancellor