We Are The University

Vice-Chancellor's Update | 16 December 2024

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Sun Dec 15 2024 13:00:00 GMT+1300 (New Zealand Daylight Time)

Kia ora tātou

As we conclude the year and prepare for the festive season, I would like to extend once more my sincere gratitude for all your efforts on behalf of our University. Looking ahead, we know that 2025 will bring both opportunities and some uncertainties. Nevertheless, I am confident in our abilities to lead and respond to the increasing complexity of our environment.

Graduations The Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences celebrated the success of nearly 750 students in the fields of health and medicine during graduations last week. Congratulations to all the graduates and to the staff who have supported them in reaching this milestone. A number of graduate stories are available on our News pageshttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/list.html?tag=news:graduation.

Academic promotions

Congratulations to our academic staff who were promoted recently. You can see the full list of names of those promoted to associate professor and professor on our News pageshttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2024/12/16/academic-promotions-2024.html.

QS World Rankings: Sustainability 2025 The University has maintained its ranking in the top one percent of universities worldwide in the 2025 QS World Rankings: Sustainability. Out of more than 1,700 institutions, the University placed first in New Zealand, fourth in Oceania and 17th globally. The result highlights our ongoing commitment to sustainability leadership and proactive efforts to enhance environmental and social impact. Read more in the article: UoA ranked first in NZhttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2024/12/10/qs-sustainability-2025-UoA-ranked-first-in-NZ.html.

Future executive structure As I recently indicated, I will be reviewing the leadership structure and the organisation of the leadership teams’ committees and meetings in the New Year. I hope these will be in place for March 2025.

In the brief interim period, and until new arrangements are finalised, the faculty deans will report to the Vice-Chancellor, and the remaining direct reports of the Provost will report to an interim role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Ed) for up to six months January-June 2025. I have asked Professor Simon Holdaway to hold this position while the new structure and any resultant appointments are finalised.

Our Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Innovation Professor Frank Bloomfield has also been in the process of making appointments to the refreshed Research and Innovation portfolio as part of horizon two of Taumata Teitei.

The internal expression of interest process for two of the Pro Vice-Chancellor roles is complete:

Short-listing for the position of CEO of UniServices and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Innovation & Enterprise) took place last Friday 13 December, with interviews to be scheduled for the new year.

I would also like to confirm that, following an internal expression of interest process, Professor Jaime King will fill the role of interim Dean of Law for six months.

HR system shutdown notice In preparation for the launch of Hono | Human Connections on Monday 10 February, HR systems will shut down from Monday 6 January to Sunday 9 February. Please complete outstanding HR tasks by Sunday 5 January. For more information about the shutdown and Hono training please visit the Intranet page: Hono overviewhttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/intranet/stay-informed/improvement-projects-programmes/hono/hono-overview.html

I wish you and your whānau a safe and relaxing summer break.

Ngā mihi nui Dawn

Professor Dawn Freshwater Vice-Chancellor