Vice-Chancellor's Update | 25 February 2025
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Tue Feb 25 2025 13:00:00 GMT+1300 (New Zealand Daylight Time)
Kia ora tātou
With Orientation commencing this week, it’s wonderful to see our campuses busy and active with new and returning students for 2025. Enrolment numbers this semester appear to be strong, with healthy increases across both domestic and international cohorts compared to 2023 and 2024. Thanks to the many teams across the University who support and guide our students through the application and enrolment process.
Vice-Chancellors Awards for Values and Te Ao Māori Principles Congratulations to the winners and nominees who gathered last Thursday for the awards ceremony in OGGB. The deep commitment to excellence and a values-led culture shown by of all the nominations was impressive. Read more on our News pageshttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2025/02/21/vc-awards-values-and-te-ao-maori-principles.html.
Official opening of Hiwa It was an honour to formally open Hiwa, our new recreation centre. It was also a pleasure to lead the VC’s team in an intense game of netball against a (fast and formidable) student team alongside our special guest, Hon Chris Bishop MP, who also graced the netball court. Minister Bishop described Hiwa as “a remarkable facility for the University, but also for the city, and the whole country”. Read more on our News pageshttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2025/02/21/hiwa-rec-centre-opening-event-splash.html.
Global reputation ranking Last week the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings 2025 were published, and I am pleased to report the University is in the top 200 globally. The revamped rankings are based on nominations from more than 55,000 academics in 182 countries and reveal the top universities for academic reputation and prestige globally. Read more on our News pageshttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2025/02/18/university-of-auckland-among-the-worlds-best-for-reputation.html.
Business School accreditations Excellent news from the Business School, which has successfully completed renewals for three prestigious international accreditations, placing it among the top 1 percent of business schools globally. Ours is the first business school in Australasia to achieve this ‘triple crown’ accreditation in 2004 and to maintain it consistently for two decades. It underlines the Business School’s exceptional reputation and performance across teaching, research and industry engagement. Read more on our News pageshttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2025/02/21/business-school-takes-triple-crown-.html.
Policy consultation A draft of the Visitor Access to IT Systems, Data, and Restricted Facilities Policy and Procedureshttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/about-the-university/policy-hub/policy-development-review/documents-for-consultation/draft-visitor-access-to-it-systems--data--and-restricted-facilit.html is open for consultation until 5pm, 28 February. It aims to ensure the University protects its sensitive information from unauthorised access.
All-staff forum Last week’s all-staff forum covered several important topics and generated excellent questions and observations from participants. If you were unable to join the forum you can watch the video on the staff intranethttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/intranet/stay-informed/staff-communications/staff-forums/01.html.
Ngā mihi nui Dawn
Professor Dawn Freshwater Vice-Chancellor