Extramural RSS

Special ceremony honours Maori graduates

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:05:00 +1200

Natasha Simpson, Laura Shingleton and Tracey Robinson, a teacher, former head girl and board of trustee
of Manawatu College attended the ceremony to honour Maori graduates

Maori graduates have celebrated with whanau and friends at a ceremony to honour their achievements.

Fifty-six Maori graduates attended the special ceremony in Palmerston North yesterday, which was also the last in the city for Professor Sir Mason Durie, in his role as Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Maori and Pasifika).

A teacher, trustee and former head girl of Manawatu College were among the Massey University graduates who attended.

As Natasha Simpson (Ngati Tukorehe), Naomi Tracey Robinson (Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Kauwhata), and Laura Shingleton (Ngai Tahu), crossed the stage, their whanau, friends and students and staff from the school performed waiata tauotoko (songs of support) and haka.

Mrs Simpson has taught at the school for ten years and on Wednesday graduated with a Master of Education and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. She says the ceremony was very different from graduation. “It was very emotional, that’s the best word to describe it.”

Board trustee Tracey Robinson graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work, and former head girl, Laura Shingleton with a Bachelor of Midwifery. Mrs Shingleton helped deliver 62 babies during her studies and now works as a midwife in her hometown, Foxton.

She says there was “more love in this one”, as whanau and friends celebrated with graduates.

In his final Manawatu graduation address in his role as Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Maori and Pasifika), Sir Mason said the graduates of today had a challenge to ensure that Maori society realised its potential over the next 25 years.

"The potential is huge and we need to find a way to realise it," Sir Mason said. "Not only to realise a strong economy – because that's important – but also to realise healthy whanau, healthy lives and healthy young people.

"We've spent a lot of time in the past two decades putting out fires. We need to be able to convert our knowledge and education to not only put out fires but to build a strong platform so that fires don't occur. We need strong fences at the top so that we don't have to sit at the bottom with an ambulance. That's what Massey is looking at. Next month we are going to introduce a whanau research programme. It's main aim is to find out what are the ingredients of success for whanau and how to make it happen.

"This year also we are working also to develop a new college in this University and the college will be concerned with looking at what are the determinants of health – not what the causes of sickness are but what are the things that make us well and healthy and wealthy; and that enable us to participate fully in the globe as well as to participate fully in te au Maori."

This year there is a total of 396 Maori graduates across all campuses, 34 more than last year. Of that, 149 graduated at Palmerston North ceremonies, including 30 with postgraduate, 111 with undergraduate and eight sub-degree qualifications.

A ceremony to honour Pasifika graduates was also held yesterday.

Olympian takes time out to graduate

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:04:00 +1200

Olympic rower Hamish Bond is capped at one of the College of Business
ceremonies at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna

Olympic rower Hamish Bond took time out from his hectic training schedule this week to attend his Massey University graduation ceremony. He was capped with his Bachelor of Business Studies on Wednesday afternoon, after eight years of part-time, extramural study.

“It’s been a long road and it’s definitely been good to get it finished before heading into the Olympics,” says the three-time world champion and Olympic gold medal hope. “I’m pleased that I chipped away at it, doing one or two papers a semester, and I got there in the end.”

Mr Bond is currently in training camp with the New Zealand rowing team in Cambridge, but says Rowing New Zealand was very supportive of athletes pursuing their education. “Graduations or a close relative’s funeral – they’re about the only things you can weasel your way out of training for,” he jokes.

Training is “pretty much a full-time job at the moment”, says Mr Bond, and the team is currently in its most intense block of training before the Olympics. “I’m on the water five hours per day, six days a week – but things like eating become a job, stretch and physio takes up time, and even resting properly is part of your job.”

With Olympic preparations an all-consuming activity, it was a relief for Mr Bond to complete his final paper during summer school and to concentrate fully on rowing. But taking the afternoon off to attend his graduation ceremony was a welcome break.

“It was great,” he said after the capping ceremony. “It was nice to meet the other students.”

Mr Bond is also grateful for the flexibility offered by Massey University’s distance learning programme, and says it was the only way he could make study and training work.

“I started off at Otago but when I made the New Zealand rowing team I had to relocate to Cambridge. I could have gone to Waikato, I guess, but it would have been too hard to train and try to fit lectures around it. When you are in a crew boat with other people, it’s not like you can train when you’ve got free time. You have to be there at a specific time and lectures get thrown out of the window.

“Distance learning is so much easier than travelling to go to lectures, and now Massey even facilitates you doing exams overseas. It’s all worked out pretty well for me, I’m just glad I persisted.”

While rowing is Mr Bond’s sole focus for the immediate future, he says he is also looking towards his post-rowing life.

“I’m not sure what I want to do yet really, but I have a degree in finance so it will be something in that area to start off with. One of the good things about rowing is that I have made some relatively influential contacts and connections that may help to open doors in the future,” he says.

And is further study on the cards? “Not at this stage. I want to test the waters a wee bit in the real world. But once I know what I’m actually interested in, I might look at more study.”

Bond was one of more than 1000 students to graduate during Massey University’s six Albany campus ceremonies. Graduation ceremonies will take place in Palmerston North and Wellington in May.

Scholarship-winning research students challenged to make a difference

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:10:00 +1200

Manawatu and Wellington-based scholarship recipients at Wharerata yesterday. Details are in the story.

Certificates were awarded to this year's Manawatu and Wellington campus doctoral and masterate research scholarships recipients at a ceremony at Wharerata yesterday, and to those from the Albany campus today.

In total there were 10 Vice-Chancellors doctoral scholarships, 41 Massey doctoral scholarships, 25 masterate scholarships, two Mäori scholarships – doctoral and one masterate, two Lovell and Berys Clark scholarships and an Alumni doctoral completion bursary.

Dean of the Graduate Research School Professor Margaret Tennant said research scholarships were highly contested every year and those selected were among the "crème de la crème" of Massey's student researchers.

Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) Professor Brigid Heywood challenged the graduates to succeed and make a difference. Professor Heywood recalled her own doctoral studies and the "exciting" opportunities around the world that opened up. She urged the students take advantage of the resources and support available from the Graduate Research School to get them through the inevitable challenges each would face. "Our ambition is to see all of you at graduation and for all of you to succeed.

Details of the Manawatu and Wellington campus recipients, based on the photo from left to right, are:

Barbara Binnie, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences (IVABS), Manawatu, doctoral scholarship, researching the evolution of campylobacter in New Zealand.

Peter Lee, Institute of Natural Resources (INR), Manawatu, masterate scholarship, researching an economic impact assessment of New Zealand's conservation estate.
Mohamed Abdalla, IVABS, Manawatu, masterate scholarship, researching sheep disease resistance.

Sui Mei Wee, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health (IFNHH), Manawatu, doctoral scholarship, researching the properties of mamaku fern extract.

Nagender Suryadevara, School of Engineering and Advanced Technology (SEAT), Manawatu, doctoral scholarship, researching activity recognition of the elderly living in a smart home.

Munazza Saeed, IFNHH, Manawatu, doctoral scholarship, researching pears.
Rebecca Green, Institute of Fundamental Science, Manawatu, doctoral scholarship, researching statistical forecasting of eruption hazards of Mt Taranaki.

Philippa Butler, School of People, Environment and Planning (SPEP), Manawatu, doctoral scholarship, researching young people's conceptions of ethnic identity.

Axel Malecki, SPEP, Manawatu, doctoral scholarship, researching how expatriate populations might assist the economy of their home country, with a focus on Chile.
Ann De Silva, SEAT, Manawatu, masterate scholarship, researching a new way to compress photo data more efficiently and direct to hardware.

Timothy Upperton, School of English and Media Studies, Manawatu, doctoral scholarship, researching the lyric "I" in contemporary poetry, with particular reference to the work of Frederick Seidel, and, as part of his creative writing doctorate, producing a book of poetry.

Eva Mengwasser, School of Psychology, Wellington, Vice-Chancellor's doctoral scholarship, researching the social and cultural meanings of food and nutritional practices in young people's lives.

David Littlewood , School of History, Philosophy and Classics (SHPC), Manawatu, doctoral scholarship, researching military conscription and the systems of appeal in Britain and New Zealand.

Eleanor Kahu, School of Psychology, Wellington, doctoral scholarship, researching the study methods of students particularly distance learners.
Amber Wells, IVABS, Manawatu, Lovell and Berys Clark masterate scholarship, researching tail docking of dogs.

Joy Davidson, SPEP, Manawatu, masterate scholarship, researching young Solomon Islanders as agents of change.

Megan Allardice, SPEP, Manawatu, masterate scholarhsip, researching the role of the arts, particularly contemporary dance, in international development.

Lydia Cave, IVABS, Manawatu, doctoral scholarship, researching a potential alternative to perennial ryegrass.

Eva McVitty, SHPC, Wellington, masterate scholarship, researching the phenomenon of treason in late medieval England from a cultural perspective.
Alice Taylor, INR, Manawatu, doctoral scholarship, researching ways to incorporate ecological habitus into urban planning and design.

Stephanie Denne, School of Psychology, Manawatu, Vice-Chancellor's doctoral scholarship, researching community responses to domestic violence.

Albany Massey Scholarships:

Christine Read, School of People, Environment and Planning, sociology, Albany, doctoral scholarship, researching the role of schools in providing services and support to the wider community.

Siwen Pan, School of Management, economics and finance, Albany, masterate scholarship.

Anna Meissner, Institute of Natural Sciences, zoology, Albany, doctoral scholarship, researching the impact of tourism on bottlenose and common dolphins in the Bay of Plenty.

Yu Zhao, Institute of Information and Mathematical Sciences, computer science, Albany, masterate scholarship, researching gravitational microlensing events for astronomy discoveries such as new planets and dark matter in relation to high performance data management.

Krista Rankmore, Institute of Natural Sciences, zoology, Albany, doctoral scholarship, researching the abundance and health of common dolphins in the Hauraki Gulf.

Timothy Lyes, Institute of Information and Mathematical Sciences, computer science, Albany, doctoral scholarship, researching graphics processing units for rapidly processing large amounts of data.

Sadia Alam, School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, engineering, Albany, doctoral scholarship, modelling and analysis of aspects of brain function involving calcium and iron.

Cheryl Cross, Institute of Natural Sciences, zoology, Albany, doctoral scholarship, monitoring five species of dolphin in Queen Charlotte Sound and the impact of tourism.

Mitchell Johnson, Institute of Information and Mathematical Sciences, computer science, Albany, doctoral scholarship, researching fluid flow in real world situations, using graphics processing units to simulate waves and erosion.

Rashmi Ramesh, Institute of Natural Sciences, micro-genetics, Albany, doctoral scholarship, researching protein reactions in living cells using novel technologies.

Tess Chalmers, School of Psychology, clinical psychology, Albany, doctoral scholarship, researching the effectiveness of prison programmes for Maori inmates.

Judith Ward, School of History, Philosophy and Classics, history, Albany, Maori masterate scholarship, researching the original eye witness account by William Colenzo of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and comparing it with other accounts.

Kate Blackwood, School of Management, human resources management, Albany, Vice-Chancellor’s doctoral scholarship, researching workplace bullying as a facet of institutional behaviour.

Ian Hyslop, School of Health and Social Services, social work, Albany, doctoral scholarship, investigating social work knowledge in relation to cultural and economic influences with a view to the future of social work.

Mark Simpson, School of Education, e-learning, Albany, masterate scholarship, researching the use of e-portfolios and digital technology in presentations to create guidelines for educators.

Alwyn Husselmann, Institute of Information and Mathematical Sciences, computer science, Albany, Vice-Chancellors doctoral scholarship, using graphics processing units and super computers for modelling systems used in film industry, social sciences and finance sectors.

Five medals for Massey rowers at world champs

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:09:00 +1200

Storm Uru

Massey student-athletes won five of the nine medals the New Zealand team brought home from the recent World Rowing Championships at Lake Bled in Slovenia.

Leading the way were the men’s pair of Hamish Bond and Eric Murray, and Rebecca Scown – one half of the women’s pair – who won gold.

Students Storm Uru and Peter Taylor won a silver medal in the lightweight men’s double sculls. Bronze medals were won by Anna Raymer in the women’s double sculls, and Fiona Bourke and Sarah Gray in the women’s quadruple sculls.

In all, Massey has 14 athletes who have now qualified for the London Olympics next year within the 12 New Zealand teams. Others to qualify at the regatta were Louise Ayling and Lucy Strack (women’s lightweight double sculls), Ben Hammond and Chris Harris (men’s four), John Storey (men’s quadruple sculls) and Ian Seymour, Sean O’Neill, David Eade and Ivan Pavlich (men’s eight).

They join world sprint kayak champion Lisa Carrington, another Massey student who qualified for the Olympics earlier in the year.

50 years of distance library service at Massey

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:06:00 +1200

Front cover of Your Books Are In The Mail:
Fifty years of Distance Library Service at
Massey University, by Bruce White.

The University Library last week celebrated 50 years of supporting distance students, by launching a new book that traces the history of the Distance Library Service.

Your Books Are In The Mail: Fifty years of Distance Library Service at Massey University, written by science librarian Bruce White, was launched at Turitea Library on Wednesday.

Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) Professor Ingrid Day spoke at the launch, which was attended by Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey, past and present librarians, and university staff.

Professor Day said the service was pivotal to the University’s distance education programme. “Students consistently rate the library as one of the highest valued services in the University,” she said.

Your Books Are In The Mail describes the service’s beginnings at Caccia Birch House in 1960, with just one librarian, begged and borrowed equipment, and the principal of the Palmerston North University College stocking the shelves at night. Almost 1700 books were delivered to students in that first year, establishing a service that is still recognisable in its essentials today.

The service has faced many challenges over 50 years. The first distance postgraduate papers in the 1970s meant students needed to read much more widely than the set lists. Librarians responded with a new subject search service, finding relevant information for students using the card catalogue and print resources. Twenty years later “remote access” to the catalogue and the forerunners of article databases allowed students to start carrying out their own searches.

Distance students now have access to all the same online resources, such as e-journals and e-books, as internal students. Print books are still vitally important – in 2007 almost 130,000 were delivered to students’ letterboxes, often just a day or two after online requesting.

Government reports noted in 1925, and again in 1959, that a well-equipped library service is an essential element of university education. “The service that has been created for Massey’s distance students over 50 years deserves recognition for having more than met the challenge" Mr White said.

The book may be purchased for $20 using the form on the Library website.

It is also available for viewing online through Massey Research Online.

Let the academic year begin

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:02:00 +1200

Students from the College of Creative Arts in the annual commencement photo on the steps of the Wellington campus Museum Building.

Watch the Vice-Chancellor's welcome message

Students arrived en masse this week to welcome ceremonies at all three campuses.

In Wellington, there was a powhiri in the Museum Building’s Great Hall on Tuesday for all students and a separate welcome for those from the College of Creative Arts.

College Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Sally Morgan cited the example of celebrated painter and print-maker, the late John Drawbridge, a former teacher at the School of Design as someone to aspire to. “Get ready to work,” Professor Morgan said. She also told students this was a special year for the college, with its foundation branch, the Wellington School of Design, marking 125 years in existence.

At Albany, more than 1000 new students and their families packed the Bruce Mason Centre on Monday night, a symbolic venue where the academic journey begins and, for those who graduate in the years ahead, will culminate. Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey welcomed the news students via video, while the University’s Regional Director (Auckland) Professor Paul Spoonley spoke about the importance of having tertiary education in a challenging job market. Bachelor of Business Studies alumnus Michael Goudie, who represents Albany as a councillor on the new Auckland (“super”) City Council, reiterated that, saying his experience at Massey helped him in his life and subsequent career. On the University Facebook page and his Twitter site Mr Goudie describes orientation week as “best week of the year.”

At Manawatu, 750 new domestic and international students arrived on campus to begin their studies. The students – many of whom will live on the campus in the halls of residence – are taking part in a week-long induction and welcome programme. It began on Monday night with a commencement dinner for 1200 guests including students and their families. It includes team-building activities and workshops ranging from study tips, to health and safety.

EXMSS marks 50 years of distance learning

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:12:00 +1200

Peter Hawes and Trace Hodgson

Dr Sandi Shillington with Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey

The University's Extramural Students’ Society celebrated 50 years of distance learning at a garden party on the Manawatu campus this week, with awards and a book launch.

The commemorative book was written by actor, author and playwright Peter Hawes with, he said, a little help from his wife, the long-serving former society president, Liz Hawes.

The EXMSS Files cover and other illustrations were done by cartoonist Trace Hodgson. It is described as a “people’s history” of extramural study at Massey, drawing on personal anecdotes from past and present students.

Society president Ralph Springett described the book as a colourful and whimsical account of the past 50 years – a long project, well worth waiting for. Mr Springett also announced the establishment of the EMXSS Student Support Trust – a new and enduring initiative that seeks to reduce financial barriers faced by distance students through assistance with grants and scholarships.

During the garden party, Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey presented the inaugural Don Bewley award to Manawatu campus registrar Dr Sandi Shillington for her ongoing support and commitment to extramural students.

Professor Emeritus Bewley, a former director of distance learning programmes, was honoured at graduation ceremonies in May with an honorary doctorate in recognition of his outstanding service and contribution to the advancement of distance education.

New Resources for Distance Learners

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:11:00 +1200

A series of new online resources for distance (extramural) students is being made available over the next few months. The services are the result of a Tertiary Education Commission-funded project called Bridging the Distance and aim to better inform prospective students and provide new and existing students with better support.

The Distance Learning website (http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/learning/distance-learning) has been enhanced and contains new resources for students including interactive pre-entry tools aimed at helping students make informed choices prior to enrolling. The resources include:

A quiz called “Is Distance Learning for Me?”
“Finding time for study” calculators
“Study previews” that provide students with an overview of what will be required of them to successfully complete a paper
Information on choosing an appropriate course including factors to consider when making decisions

Additional resources and tools will be progressively made available over the next few months.

A new online orientation course has been made available to Summer School students. The orientation course has a range of activities and resources aimed at helping students establish good study routines and promoting services and resources available to them. The Online Orientation phases the delivery of information to avoid information overload and weighty publications, instead presenting “just-in-time” information. The Orientation will be evaluated over the summer school period then made available to all distance students in time for Semester 1, 2011.

If you would like any further information on the tools and resources please contact Andrea Mackay, Bridging the Distance Project Manager, extension 7864, a.j.mackay@massey.ac.nz

Book celebrates 50 years of distance learning

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:11:00 +1200

Professor Emeritus Tom Prebble signs a copy of From
a Distance for Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey.

A new book celebrating the University’s 50th Jubilee of distance learning was officially launched at the Manawatu campus on Monday.

Written by former director of extramural studies Professor Emeritus Tom Prebble, From a Distance: 50th Jubilee of Distance Learning focuses on the 25 years since 1986.

It covers the rapid growth of distance learning, the evolution of media used to deliver and support teaching and the systems employed to run the large and complex service. It reflects the changing face of extramural students over those years and explores a number of challenging policy developments that the programme has engaged with.

The book follows John Owens’ Beyond the Walls publication in 1985 marking the first 25 years.

Professor Prebble says writing the account of the second 25 years of an endeavour posed a few challenges. “It is not often that one is given the opportunity to reflect at length on a series of events and activities to which one has devoted a large part of one’s working life,” he writes. “Memory tends to put an increasingly warm glow on past events and one’s own contribution to them.”

Professor Prebble says that with increasing stress on programme completion and proposed changes to university entrance, the University faces “a tough challenge if it wishes to continue to offer a second chance to adult New Zealanders wanting to make a difference to their lives”.

In 1960 there were about 500 extramural students; today there are more than 17,000. About 250,000 people have enrolled over the half-century.

Both books are available for digital download from the University’s website: http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/university-management/avc-academic/50th-jubilee-of-distance-learning/en/jubilee-book.cfm and Professor Prebble’s book will be sold by the Alumni Shop at the Manawatu campus or ordered online http://alumnishop.massey.ac.nz/

The Extramural Students’ Society will launch its own commemorative publication on November 30. Written by Peter Hawes, focus on the student experience.

Dream comes true for Ant Pedersen

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:10:00 +1200

Ant Pedersen’s Fujitsu Falcon.

Ant Pedersen

As a youngster Ant Pedersen would watch Australia's great race at Bathurst on television each year. This year he will be one of the drivers who lines up for the Bathurst 1000 at the famous Mount Panorama circuit in New South Wales.

He says he can’t wait to get the weekend underway. “It seems so unreal to think I'm racing at Bathurst,” Mr Pedersen says. “As a kid growing up I used to watch the race on television and now I'm in it. I've dreamed of driving in this race so understandably I'm very excited."

Mr Pedersen grew up in Rotorua but is currently studying accountancy at the Manawatu campus. He has been a member of the University’s Academy of Sport for four years.

He has made a rapid rise in motorsport to make it to the start-line of this iconic event. A former karting champion, he shone in the MINI Challenge and Porsche GT3 Cup classes in New Zealand before receiving an opportunity to race in the early rounds of the V8 Development Series in Australia this season. The 22-year-old impressed in his very first outing, securing a podium at the tricky Adelaide Street circuit, before going on to score a second placing in a later race at Queensland Raceway.

As a result of those performances Mr Pedersen and young Australian Damian Assaillit received a wildcard entry to the two long distance races in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship – the L&H 500 at Phillip Island and this weekend’s race at Bathurst.

The duo, the youngest driver pairing in the endurance races, brought the Fujitsu Falcon, one of the oldest cars in the race, to the finish in the gruelling Phillip Island event. They will again share the driving duties at Bathurst.

"The goal will be the same as at Phillip Island – to try as hard as we can to stay on the lead lap and finish the race,” he says. “If we do that it will be a good result for us. I've never raced around Bathurst before so I will use the first session or two to find my way around and then press on from there. The goal for me will again be to gain experience and quality miles in these cars and around Bathurst."

Practice begins tomorrow with three sessions, followed by qualifying on Friday, with another practice session and the top-ten shootout on Saturday. Sunday is race day, with the cars set to begin the tough 1000km race at 10.30am Australian local time.

Games athletes lead 2010 Blues nominations

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:10:00 +1200

Last year’s Manawatu campus sportsman and woman of the year, rowers Storm Uru and Rebecca Scown.

Fifteen New Zealand Commonwealth Games representatives are among the 41 student-athletes nominated for the top prizes at next week’s University Blues awards in Albany and Manawatu.

At the Albany ceremony, on Monday, nominations for sportsman and woman of the year include New Zealand representative cyclists Rushlee Buchanan and Jaime Nielsen, both Bachelor of Business Studies students. Ms Buchanan won a bronze medal with the pursuit team at the World Track Cycling Championships in Copenhagen earlier this year. Ms Nielsen is also a pursuit specialist, finishing seventh in the individual pursuit at the Copenhagen event.

Hockey players Simon Child and Elizabeth Gunson are also now in Delhi preparing for the Games. Mr Child, a business studies student, was a member of the Black Sticks team that competed at the Champions Trophy in Germany in July. Ms Gunson is fitting a Bachelor of Science around her playing commitments, which this year have included the Champions Trophy in England.

Other nominees competing in Delhi include swimmers Moss Burmester, Glenn Snyders, Amaka Gessler, Natasha Hind, Penelope Marshall and Hayley Palmer, and sprinter Adrian Blincoe.

At the Manawatu event, on Tuesday, nominees for the top Blues awards include cyclist Lauren Ellis, who is also a member of the pursuit team in Delhi. She will be taking a break from her Bachelor of Business Studies while competing.

Boxer Angus Donaldson is the current national titleholder in the men’s lightweight division and will compete in that weight class at the Commonwealth Games. He won a silver medal in that division at the recent Oceania Games. He is studying a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise.

Hockey player Nick Wilson will join teammate Mr Child in Delhi. Mr Wilson, a Bachelor of Business Studies student, was also with the New Zealand team at the Champions Trophy in Germany. Kayla Sharland is also part of the women’s hockey team.

Albany sportswoman of the year nominees:
Cycling: Rushlee Buchanan, Jaime Nielsen. Kayak: Lisa Carrington. Football: Anna Green. Hockey: Elizabeth Gunson. Snow sports: Emilie Tait-Jamieson. Swimming: Amaka Gessler, Natasha Hind, Penelope Marshall, Haylee Palmer. Weightlifting: Chantal Lambrechs.

Albany sportsman of the year nominees:
Athletics: Adrian Blincoe. Kayak: Scott Bicknell. Hockey: Simon Child, Richard Petherick. Swimming: Moss Burmester, Glenn Snyders. Judo: Marco Nienaber.

Manawatu sportswoman of the year nominees:
Athletics: Samantha Blanch. Barefoot waterskiing: Kelly O’Donnell. Cycling: Lauren Ellis. Canoe slalom: Louise Jull. Cricket: Kate Broadmore. Equestrian: Hannah Appleton. Hockey: Kayla Sharland. Rowing: Rebecca Scown, Emma Twigg. Surf livesaving: Chelsea Maples. Tae kwon-do: Estelle Speirs.

Manawatu sportsman of the year nominees:
Athletics: Scott Burch. Boxing: Angus Donaldson. Hockey: Nick Wilson. Judo: Calum Burn. Mountain biking: Stuart Houltham. Tae kwon-do: Kane Baigent. Rowing: Hamish Bond, Storm Uru.

Extramural sportsperson of the year nominees 2010:
Rowing: Hamish Bond, Storm Uru. Surf lifesaving: Chelsea Maples. Swimming: Amaka Gessler.

Honorary doctorate for distance learning champion

Thu, 13 May 2010 00:05:00 +1200

Chancellor Dr Russ Ballard (left) with Professor Emeritus Donald Bewley and Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey.

Professor Emeritus Donald Bewley was awarded an honorary Doctor of Literature degree today in recognition of his outstanding service and contribution to the advancement of distance education.

Professor Bewley served as director of extramural studies from 1967-86 and helped shape the leading role that Massey holds in distance education.

Professor Bewley’s influence and determination saw the University’s extramural programme grow during a time in which academics were particularly cynical about the delivery of distance learning programmes, Professor Emeritus and former extramural studies director Tom Prebble told graduates and guests.

Professor Prebble said the strength of extramural courses and the graduates who have completed their studies through distance learning are now held in high esteem thanks to the efforts of champions such as Professor Bewley and that it is fitting he is honoured during the University’s 50th Jubilee celebration for distance learning.

German Ambassador urges international exchange

Wed, 12 May 2010 00:05:00 +1200

German Ambassador Thomas Meister

German Ambassador Thomas Meister has emphasised the importance of international exchange and friendship to new graduates.

Speaking at the ceremonies for graduates from the Colleges of Education, Creative Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences today, Mr Meister urged graduates to seek international experience, identify personal goals “and pursue them with stamina and perseverance”.
“Travelling, in my view, is in many ways the key to success,” he said.

Citing the example of 18th century German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, Mr Meister said his compatriot was tenacious in realising his ambition to study and travel extensively. “Alexander had everything – talent, genius and education. That was a lucky coincidence. He also prepared well for his ventures. But above all, he was persistent.” Humboldt’s philosophy also represented a “certain level” of globalisation or internationalism, these days reflected in the European Union and its combined efforts to resolve the Greek economic crisis, Mr Meister said.

“It is indeed worthwhile to remember that the European Union is the biggest political success story of the past 50 years. A lot more than a common economic area, it also represents a community of shared values.”

Student defies odds to graduate

Tue, 11 May 2010 00:05:00 +1200

Jamie Parkin

Despite a rare genetic disorder that has left him blind, Jamie Parkin will graduate tomorrow with a Bachelor of Arts in history after nine years of extramural study.

Mr Parkin, 28, from Blenheim, is one of only three people in New Zealand with Bardet-Biedl syndrome, which affects sight and speech. He was schooled in the mainstream and developed a love of history at Marlborough Boys’ College. His degree also included papers in classics and politics.

“I'm amazed that I have finished – sometimes I felt that I wouldn't be able to,” he says. “I'm so grateful to everyone who helped me.” He praised the University’s disability support services for providing him with study guides using optical character recognition, enabling his computer to read them to him, and for sending him study materials earlier and liaising with his tutors over deadlines.

The University also funded a support worker to visit him at home each day to read to him. Andrea Barnard, who performed the role for three years, says Mr Parkin worked extremely hard to achieve his goal. “Jamie has a fantastic aural memory that fills me with admiration. He remembers the smallest details of something I read him weeks ago. He is a very kind, gentle and courteous man with a huge capacity for learning.”

Mr Parkin will cross the stage at the Regent on Broadway theatre aided by his sister, Briar. His mother, Beth, father Robbie, grandparents and other members of the family will be there to celebrate his achievement.

Mrs Parkin says her son has always been very patient and shown interest in learning. "I knew he would achieve this as he is very capable and now he is got there we are just shouting ‘whoopee’.” She says he has also received support from readers in the Blenheim community and from the Foundation for the Blind. Determined to continue his love of learning and keen to broaden his skills, Mr Parkin has now enrolled in a Graduate Diploma in English.

Distance education focus of public lecture

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:04:00 +1200

As the University celebrates 50 years of distance education this year, a leading Canadian academic will visit tomorrow and give a public lecture on Teaching and Learning in Networked Contexts.

Professor Terry Anderson of Athabasca University will give a keynote address on the use of networks for work, play, and learning – and show how our understanding of them has increased in the past decade.

Professor Anderson will discuss the emergence of “connectivist” models of teaching and learning that place a premium on making and sustaining connections, and apply knowledge to real world problems.

He holds the Canadian research chair in distance education. He is the editor of the International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning and also serves on a number of journal editorial boards, including: Journal of Distance Education, American Journal of Distance Education, Internet in Higher Education, Canadian Journal of Educational Communication, Journal of Interactive Media in Education, and The Journal of e-Learning and Knowledge Society.

The public lecture will be at the Manawatu campus’ Japan Lecture Theatre at University House at 3.30pm April 23.

Old meets new at doctoral celebration

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:07:00 +1200

Massey staff and post-graduate students celebrate the milestone.

Dr Marcus Ulyatt and Dagmar
Knoflach cut the cake.

One of Massey's first doctoral graduates met with the latest candidate today as the University celebrated having 1000 doctoral students concurrently enrolled.

Dr Marcus Ulyatt was the ninth PhD graduate from Massey in 1964. His thesis was entitled Studies on the digestion of ryegrass species and the regulation of food intake in sheep.

Dr Ulyatt was a senior scientist at the AgResearch Grasslands Centre in Palmerston North before retiring in 2001.

Today he cut a celebratory cake with Dagmar Knoflach, the 1000th PhD candidate currently enrolled at the University.

Ms Knoflach is researching the reproductive development of nematode parasitic worms in sheep at the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences. She will be based at the Manawatu campus for three years.

Coincidentally, her research is being co-supervised by Professor Heather Simpson, the second woman to be awarded a PhD at Massey.

Dr Ulyatt said he had intended to do his PhD overseas, as was normal at the time, but decided to stay at Massey.

“I think that era in the late '60s was the start of New Zealand universities, including Massey, becoming a real option for doctoral study.”

Dean of Graduate Research Professor Margaret Tennant paid tribute to the staff at the Graduate Research School, who had to deal with increasing numbers of post graduate students.

VC talks to students through YouTube blog

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:05:00 +1200

Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey's new video web log has been a hit on YouTube with students. By Tuesday afternoon it had been viewed more than 3900 times.

On Friday and Saturday it was New Zealand's most viewed YouTube video and the Massey channel was the most viewed channel. So far this week, it is the third most viewed channel.

Launched on Friday, it is a first by a New Zealand vice-chancellor. Mr Maharey says he aims to do several each year to keep in touch with students and provide an on-line forum for feedback and discussion.

The video "blog", recorded in the Regent on Broadway Theatre during last week's Manawatu campus graduation ceremonies, features Mr Maharey and Massey University Students' Association president Matt Poucher. They discuss graduation and encourage students to provide feedback on the student satisfaction survey.

Massey’s YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/masseyuniversity) was started in 2007 to host promotional videos and now has more than 50 videos, which have together generated more than 27,000 channel views.

Visit Massey's YouTube channel and the VC's blog page.

Rower aims to make a difference on and off the water

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:05:00 +1200

Storm Uru lakeside at Karapiro, and below training at Rowing New Zealand's headquarters near Cambridge.

At 7am each day Storm Uru lowers his boat into Lake Karapiro. For the next two hours he and rowing partner Peter Taylor will prepare for the lightweight double sculls event. Their sights are set firmly on gold at the 2012 London Olympics.

Uru has just turned 24 and is 1.88m, taller than many rugby players, but weighs just 74kg. His physique is ideal for rowing, with his height and reach giving him an advantage over shorter rowers.

After breakfast at home, Uru will spend another 90 minutes with his books and papers out studying towards his other goal, a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from Massey. Later, at about noon, he will return to New Zealand Rowing's new complex at the lake and work out at the gym. Then it is another 90 minutes' training on the water and home to more study in the evening.

Once a month, on average, the weather gets too rough at the lake and the only training option is the gym. The day we visit Uru is, unfortunately, one of those days and there is a palpable tension and twitchiness in the air of the gym, which is full of the elite of New Zealand rowing.

“We haven't been able to get out on the water for 24 hours,” Uru explains, “so we're going to train on the Ergs [rowing machines].”

Uru lives by the philosophy of no boundaries - anything is possible if he puts his mind to it - an outlook he attributes to his parents, who “supported me 100 per cent in everything”.

He may live and breathe rowing, but he is already looking beyond that. Last year he completed a Bachelor of Business Studies extramurally to add to the Bachelor of Science in chemistry he did at Canterbury University after leaving James Hargest College in Invercargill five years ago. He plans to enrol in a Master of Management degree next year.

When he left school he thought he would be a chemical engineer, like his father. Now he would like to be “a manager in a successful business and work in international money markets”.

He is driven to complete what he starts. “Once I decide it's the right thing for me I have to complete it. Many times I wanted to pull out of study and questioned whether in the big scheme of things qualifications were important. When I do finish I feel proud and thankful that I did.

“It has been great studying extramurally. Massey provides a way I can continue to study wherever I am. I am only in Cambridge for five to six months of the year. During the term I could be anywhere in the world.”
He completed two papers last year despite his busy schedule. “I had to complete work for one paper in three weeks after I got back from Beijing. It was really intense.”

Next semester he is taking an international business paper. “I am interested in international financial systems, money markets and the financial environment.

“Lightweight double scullers have a very long shelf life; they peak in rowing between the age of 29 and 32 years. I've got a lot of time left in me. It's a sport that has become a career. Having my sponsors, Hyundai and Deloitte, on board has given me a shift in opinion. I am definitely going to stay in the sport for a number of years. When I first got interested I didn't think rowing was going to develop as a career or that I would get to develop the business side through study and exposure to different people and circumstances.”

Next month Uru and the New Zealand rowing squad leave for three months' competition overseas, when they will be competing in two world cups, the prestigious Henley Regatta and finishing with the world championships - his main rowing goal this year - in Poland.

Of Ngäi Tahu descent, he says he didn't have much connection with his Mäori side growing up. He is proud to be Mäori and has been back to his marae and local schools as a guest speaker. As a Sport and Recreation NZ lifestyle ambassador, he chooses to attend events with a Mäori focus as a role model.

“It has been a cool part of what I have done. Five years ago I never would have thought I'd be doing this. The students' response is overwhelming. Hopefully I can make a difference in other young people's lives.”

Increased support for distance learners

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:03:00 +1200

Ralph Springett

The Massey University Extramural Students' Society has increased both the number and the value of its scholarships this year, as well as introducing new travel benefits for its members.

$13,000 worth of scholarships were distributed recently, more than double those awarded last year.

“The barriers to studying at a distance are increasing exponentially as the economy nosedives,” EXMSS president Ralph Springett says. “Increasing our services for our members is one way we can reduce these barriers.”

The new scholarships include awards for students with impairments, as well as retention scholarships that pay fees in the following year. $3000 of the new scholarship fund is aimed at supporting tradespeople in their transition to tertiary study.

As well as increasing scholarships, EXMSS is sending a $20 travel voucher to all extramural students attending contact courses that are held on each campus.

Massey-led project wins top prize

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:09:00 +1200

Gordon Suddaby, Associate Professor Mark Brown, Minister of Communications and Information Technology David Cunliffe and Richard Wyles of the Flexible Learning Network at the awards ceremony on Wednesday.

An e-portfolio system developed by a Massey-led research team has won the education section in the New Zealand Open Source Awards.

Mahara, which means ‘”thought” or “to think” in Te Reo Maori, is an open source e-portfolio, weblog, resume builder and social networking system, connecting users and creating online learner communities.

A team including Massey staff Associate Professor Mark Brown and Gordon Suddaby, the Auckland University of Technology, the Open Polytechnic, and Victoria University of Wellington developed it.

Dr Brown says the intention was to develop a system to collect digital artefacts and promote critical reflections on them to support self-directed and life-long learning.

“Mahara provides the opportunity for learners to collect, select, reflect, connect and share their goals and accomplishments,” he says. “It helps learners to document their learning journey and showcase their skills and achievements in a rich digital media format.”

Mahara is now being used by institutions throughout the world, including the University of Southern Queensland, the University of London, the University of Glasgow, San Francisco State University and by educators covering the entire state of Georgia, in the United States.

“It has been highly successful in developing a community of educators in a short amount of time,” Dr Brown says. “As an open source platform, it will be further developed by that community.”

At Massey, several pilot Mahara e-portfolio projects are under way or planned, working through an externally hosted site MyPortfolio managed by the Flexible Learning Network.

Dr Eva Heinrich is leading the largest initiative in the College of Sciences, which aims to assist students on their path towards becoming life-long and self-directed learners.