Strengthening ties to enhance student success

The event was led by Provost Professor Giselle Byrnes, in conjunction with Deputy Vice-Chancellor Students and Global Engagement Dr Tere McGonagle-Daly and the office of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori Professor Meihana Durie.

The meetings, held over two days, focussed on discussing the development and implementation of Pūrehuroatanga, Massey’s learner success plan, and sharing best practice around academic support and curriculum transformation.

The University of Tasmania delegation, which included senior staff from academic faculties as well as the senior leadership team, spent time at Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts in Wellington, as well as in meetings across the Manawatū campus. These provided an opportunity for both universities to share practice and learn from one another.

Professor Byrnes noted the common challenges and opportunities both universities have.

"While Massey University and the University of Tasmania clearly operate in different geographical, social and political contexts, the similarities we share are striking. Both universities have strong commitments to Indigenous knowledge and leadership, to equity, access and excellence and both seek to support a broad and diverse student population, across both online and in-person teaching modes."

The meeting followed a visit by Professor Byrnes to the University of Tasmania in November 2023, where she spoke at the ‘Teaching Matters’ annual conference about Massey’s student success initiatives.