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Third time graduating for former EIT student, but still just as exciting | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

12 hours ago

Rebecca Dames graduated with a Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting from EIT and also received an award for the top student in the Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting.

Rebecca Dames graduated for the third time when she crossed the floor to receive her Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting from EIT earlier this month , but says it was still just as exciting as the first time.

Not only did Rebecca, 34, graduate at the Napier Municipal Theatre, but she also received an award for the top student in the Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting.

Rebecca’s journey through academia began after she finished school at Iona College in Havelock North, she went to the University of Canterbury where she completed a Bachelor of Science. She then moved across to Australia where she did a Masters in Library Management at the University of South Australia.

After that she came back to New Zealand and worked as a librarian at Lincoln University for five years before she went on an OE to the UK for two years.

Not wanting to go back into the library, Rebecca decided to rekindle a love of numbers by pursuing the Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting at EIT.

“My Bachelor of Science was in Mathematics, so I’ve always been very good with numbers, but I’d never actually taken accounting. I never did it at high school or anything, but I just knew that I was good at numbers, so I thought it was probably going to be a good fit.”

And so it turned out to be. However, the road to achieve her graduate diploma did have some obstacles, firstly with COVID-19 and also never having done accounting before.

“Because of this, the diploma was two years as I had to do the prerequisite papers. And I was also working for my family at the same time, so I went on and off full-time, so it took me two years.”

It got worse as she found herself and her family affected quite badly by Cyclone Gabrielle.

“I’m actually off an orchard in Fernhill . It’s not where we live, thankfully, but it’s just the apples. It was a little bit stressful trying to get things sorted at the same time. But after COVID-19, we’d gotten used to working online, so it was just more of the same really, attending online lectures.”

The family has recovered from the Cyclone, but Rebecca still remembers the feeling of going back to study after so many years.

“I was a bit nervous about it, but I was so grateful that EIT had such small class sizes because all the teachers knew me.”

“It’s so personal, that just made it so much easier. And also, I said to myself, ‘Okay, if we’re going to do this, if I’m going to change careers completely, commit to being poor for a couple of years while I study, I might as well do it properly,’ which is why I said to myself, ‘Let’s get an A in everything,’ and I did. I was really proud with that.”

Rebecca is now working as an auditor at PwC and working toward becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).

“My future goals are to get my CPA, and then I’m going to stick with audit for a while and really get to know that, because audit gives you such a great overview of all the areas of accounting.”

As for her time at EIT, Rebecca has no hesitation in recommending the programme to others.

“It’s great that it’s local in Hawke’s Bay, and it’s really good that you can work and study at the same time because of the way the timetable is set up.”

The Head of the EIT School of Business and Accounting John West said: “EIT is delighted to see Rebecca continuing our tradition, with strong accounting graduates heading into excellent jobs within Hawke’s Bay.”

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Friendship cultivated through Master of Professional Practice at EIT | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

Georgia Dick (Ngāti Kahungunu) and Lisa Harrington have graduated with a Master of Professional Practice with Distinction at EIT.

Lisa Harrington and Georgia Dick (Ngāti Kahungunu) have graduated with a Master of Professional Practice with Distinction at EIT, but their association will continue long after thanks to a friendship developed through study.

Lisa, a Social Worker and National Practice Design Advisor at Oranga Tamariki, and Georgia, an Advanced Practitioner Respiratory Physiotherapist at Te Matau a Māui Hawke’s Bay, first met while studying the Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Supervision (Level 8) in 2021.

Neither of them thought they would end up completing their masters, but both credit one another for getting through it. Coming from different fields was particularly beneficial.

“I don’t think I would have gotten through it without Lisa,” Georgia admits. “Neither,” Lisa says.

Brunches became a staple of their study.

“The good thing about Georgia and I is, I’d have a panic and she’d be calm and then she’d have a panic and I’d be calm. And so we could actually message each other and then we’d go out for brunch and we’d go to the library or stuff like that. And we’d do a little bit together and then get on track. It was easier to do with Georgia.”

While supervision is a core part of Social Work, it is not mandated for Physiotherapists, but equally as important.

“I’ve been a supervisor in the organisation for ages, but there was a group of us from Oranga Tamariki at the time that went and did the supervision certificate together. I just wanted to explore different models and different ways of doing supervision and reignite that passion for it,” Lisa says.

Lisa, 50, graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work at Massey University more than 20 years ago, but through that degree had to complete some papers at the EIT Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale.

Georgia, 29, graduated from the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Otago in 2016.

Both are from the South Island but ended up moving to Hawke’s Bay several years ago.

“I had kind of wanted to always do my masters, but I do a subset of physiotherapy – respiratory physio and critical care – and there isn’t a lot of specific masters available for that. So I kind of got into it accidentally through the professional supervision and then realised that was a third of the way towards my masters, so thought ‘well, I’m this far in, let’s try.”

Lisa says the masters has been “life changing”.

“It’s been a life-changing situation for me with the topics that I chose to research and the critical reflections that I did. It’s been a professional and personal journey for me. Nothing but beneficial.”

Georgia says the learnings from her study gave her the skills and confidence to go for a three month secondment as one of the Physiotherapy Critical Care Educators in the Central Region, which encompasses Hawke’s Bay, Palmerston North, and Wellington.

It was a similar situation for Lisa, who recently was promoted from Practice Leader for Oranga Tamariki’s Hastings site to National Practice Design Advisor.

“It helped me to apply for a different job to pursue the same kind of things that I’ve been doing, but that’s what’s contributed to my study as well.”

Georgia believes the programme is “underrated”.

“The ability to write your thesis on whatever you want was really interesting because I actually wrote mine on resources for healthcare workers after a disaster essentially after the cyclone. And there’s no way I would have been able to do that with any of the other kind of big masters.”

Lisa says: “I think that the way that it’s set up with the critical reflection, the types of professions that go into that masters potentially are ones that need to have self-critical reflection but don’t have the time because they’re quite high-pressured, stressful jobs. You can see from everybody through critical reflections how much stronger people are in their professional selves.”

They both speak highly of the lecturers.

“Heaps of credit goes to the tutors because they really just create space for you to explore areas. They don’t force you down a path, which can be kind of scary if you want some guidance about it. But actually, the end result when you think about it afterwards is it’s all your work. It’s not influenced by other people and it’s how you want to write it.

“And I think that it takes a special skill to be able to do that.”

Mandy Pentecost, Programme Coordinator of the School of Education and Social Sciences Postgraduate Programmes

“Being a part of  Lisa and Georgia’s masters journey  has been a privilege. Lisa and Georgia exemplify the commitment and determination our postgraduate students bring to their study, and their willingness to dig deep into the assumptions underpinning their practice. We wish them well as they take up their new roles.”

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Celebrations as EIT Hawke’s Bay students graduate after tough years | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

6 mins ago

More than 320 graduates received their diploma, degree or postgraduate qualifications at two ceremonies held at the Napier Municipal Theatre today.

There was an air of celebration in Hawke’s Bay as students from EIT graduated after a tough few years due to the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, and COVID-19.

More than 320 graduates received their diploma, degree or postgraduate qualifications at two ceremonies held at the Napier Municipal Theatre today. In total EIT awarded 813 diplomas, degree and postgraduate qualifications to Hawke’s Bay based learners who completed their studies last year. 

The first ceremony, held in the morning, saw graduates from the Centre for Veterinary Nursing, IDEAschool, Te Uranga Waka, Schools of Education and Social Sciences, Primary Industries, Tourism and Hospitality, Trades and Technology, and Viticulture and Wine Science graduate.

The afternoon saw graduates from the Schools of Business, Computing, Health and Sport Science, and Nursing cross the stage.

Attending both ceremonies were Andrew McSweeney, Te Pūkenga Deputy Chief Executive – Learner & Employer Experience and Attraction and Kieran Hewitson, Te Pūkenga Tumu Whenua ā-Rohe 2 | executive director. Napier MP Katie Nimon was also in attendance.

Glen Harkness, EIT Executive Director Operations, congratulated all those who graduated.

“It’s great to see these students succeed after some challenging years with the move to online because of COVID-19 and Cyclone Gabrielle. These students can take pride in how they overcame that to achieve their diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate qualifications.”

He thanked the lecturers and tutors involved for all their hard work as well.

“Once again EIT | Te Pūkenga is seeing a talented cohort graduating, which is a testament to the high quality programmes that we offer across the board. We have no doubt that these graduates will go on to make a mark in their chosen careers.”

A graduation ceremony was held for the Tairāwhiti Campus in March, while students at the Auckland campus of EIT will graduate on May 28.

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Move from Dubai to be near sister culminates in former EIT student graduating with top award | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

6 hours ago

Chirag Patel will receive the Top Graduate Diploma in Business Student award when he graduates at the Napier Municipal Theatre tomorrow.

Chirag Patel moved from Dubai to be near his sister and it is a move he does not regret as he is set to graduate from EIT with a top award this week.

Chirag, who is 27, was born in India but grew up in Dubai, where he obtained a Bachelor of Engineering at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani in Dubai. He also worked there for nearly five years as a sales manager for a building automation and fire safety company, but decided that he wanted a change of pace. He decided that he wanted to study further in New Zealand and EIT became his chosen destination because his sister, Shital, lives in Hawke’s Bay.

Chirag Patel will receive the Top Graduate Diploma in Business Student award when he graduates at the Napier Municipal Theatre tomorrow (Friday 12 April).

But it was a yearning for a change of pace that led him to Hawke’s Bay.

“I was not really happy with the entire work culture in Dubai. It’s quite fast-paced and it’s not really secure.”

“It was good to be near my sister because my parents live in Dubai and I am fond of being around family.”

Chirag could have been at EIT earlier and was all set to come to EIT when COVID-19 hit and New Zealand shut its borders.

“ I got my student visa as well, and I was enrolled in EIT. And unfortunately my flight, which was scheduled for March 23rd, 2020, was cancelled because the borders were shut on 19 March.”

His troubles were not finished because when he arrived at EIT, studies moved online because of Cyclone Gabrielle.

“Cyclone Gabrielle happened in the second semester of my studies, so I only had one course which was done online and rest of my credits were through a business internship. I was working at Specsavers in Hastings.”

Since completing his degree, Chirag has moved on to ABB, at Hawke’s Bay Airport where he works as a planner.

But for now, his focus is on graduating on Friday, where his sister and colleagues from work will be in attendance as support.

“This is the second time I’ll be wearing the whole regalia and everything, so I’m quite keen on doing it once more.”

Chirag has no hesitation in recommending the Graduate Diploma in Business at EIT.

“I would say that it’s a great pathway for someone to actually come into New Zealand and understand the work culture, which was really, really important for me. Since I come from a different business landscape, it was quite important for me to come to a different country, see how the landscape differs over here.”

Russell Booth, Senior Lecturer and Programme Co-ordinator – Business at EIT, said: “Chirag made a big impression within the first few days of starting his Graduate Diploma. He was enthusiastic to learn everything he could from his lecturers and all commented on his enthusiasm, his ability to learn things quickly and his very personable nature.”

“There is no doubt he thought carefully about the work-based internship in the second semester of his Graduate Diploma to ensure he was setting himself up for a sustainable career here in Hawke’s Bay. It was no surprise when he landed an excellent role at ABB from which he can develop. His aptitude to be the best he can has also made an impression at ABB and his future there seems very bright indeed!”

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EIT Valedictorian happy to be graduating after tough times during degree | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 mins ago

Travis Sumner will graduate as one of two EIT Hawke’s Bay Valedictorians after his time studying for a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary).

Travis Sumner will graduate as one of two EIT Hawke’s Bay Valedictorians after his time studying for a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) was made tougher by COVID-19, Cyclone Gabrielle and kidney stones.

Travis, 41, says he was surprised to be chosen as a Valedictorian for one of the graduation ceremonies to be held at the Napier Municipal Theatre on Friday.

“It was quite unexpected. It is quite special for me and for my family. I’ve really enjoyed my degree, so I knew that my academic results were up there and I knew that I’d done quite well. Some people might try to aim for it, but it was something out of the blue for me.”

Travis, who is from Hawke’s Bay and went to St. John’s College, says he has wanted to be a teacher since he was about 17 years old. He remembers clearly when he initially decided he wanted to be a teacher. He was due to sit a Bursary oral exam for te reo Māori, but was nervous so skipped school instead.

“Lo and behold, just after nine o’clock there was a knock at my door and I peeked out the window and it was my Māori teacher from St John’s, Paul Blake, and he had come to pick me up because he must have realised that I was a bit scared and that, and he managed to tell me it was going to be alright.”

“We jumped in his car and we came over to Hastings to sit our examinations and I ended up passing with flying colours and I did really well. What he did for me really sparked the fire and made me want to become a teacher as well.”

After studying at a teachers’ college, however, he found himself gravitating towards hospitality and bar management.

“I ended up progressing away from teaching, but it was always in the back of my mind, like I really wanted to tick that box. I spent 26 years in hospitality and started my own business for weddings and functions and things like that and learning. I decided that it weighed quite heavily on my family time, which I enjoy. I kind of lost my why in hospitality because it was just seven days a week.”

“I have gone back to the classroom as an adult and really enjoyed my learning. A lot of the cultural stuff I did at high school came back to sort of be a wealth of knowledge for me throughout this degree. So I’ve been able to help people with their te reo Māori and things like that.”

Travis says that the journey through his degree was arduous.

“Obviously we had COVID and then we had the Cyclone (Gabrielle), but I also had kidney stones for a lot of my degree. I ended up getting my surgery put off six times and going in and out of hospital while I was trying to study as well, as well as being the sole income for my family because my wife looked after my two boys, Cayden and Lacelle.”

“So it’s been a pretty hectic three years doing all that, working obviously at the restaurant and studying as well. It was mentally draining and I got into a bit of a dark place about having my surgery put off so many times. It was hard to be on placement with kidney stones and still try to teach in the classroom, still try to produce the results that I wanted because I have a high expectation of myself.”

Travis pays tribute to his wife, Amanda, for standing by him during his studies.

“She’s probably the backbone of everything I’ve achieved because we’ve been together for 20+ years now, and yeah, she’s just very supportive of anything that I need to achieve.”

“My parents have also been there by my side and supported me through my studies which I am incredibly grateful for.”

Travis, who is now teaching at Bledisloe School in Taradale, says he encourages more people, particularly young males, to enter the industry as it is very rewarding.

“I am loving my time at Bledisloe School. It is an amazing school to begin my career.”

Associate Professor Emily Nelson, Programme Coordinator, Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) & Acting Assistant Head of School, says they are thrilled that Travis has been chosen as Valedictorian.

“He inspired all of us throughout his degree – Candidate Teachers and Teacher Educators alike – for his passion, his mātauranga and his commitment through some really tough circumstances. Tamariki and kura for years to come will benefit from his unique and powerful presence as a Kaiako.”

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Maritime Union National Secretary Craig Harrison resigns

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison has resigned from his position as National Secretary of the Maritime Union of New Zealand for personal reasons, effective immediately.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National President Carl Findlay thanks Craig on behalf of the Maritime Union for his dedication and commitment to his role since 2020 and the Union wish him all the best in the future.

The National Council of the Union will be meeting next month in Wellington.

In the interim, all Union related business can be directed to National President Carl Findlay and all media inquiries can be directed to Communications Officer Victor Billot (details below).

Maritime Union of New Zealand National President Carl Findlay on 021 760 887

Maritime Union of New Zealand Communications Officer Victor Billot on 022 4791786

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Seed collection unearthed at EIT Hawke’s Bay Campus | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

19 mins ago

Environmental Management Lecturer Dr Glen Robertshaw with an expansive seed collection dating back to the late 70s.

More than 1000 seed samples dating back to the 70s have been unearthed at EIT Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale.

The collection features seed varieties of different sizes, shapes and colours from around the world.

Environmental Management Lecturer Dr Glen Robertshaw says it is a thing of beauty.

“As part of the unpacking and moving back into our building we have come across a curious wooden box with about 1000 seed samples from all around the world.”

Two index books that came with the collection provided the collector’s name A J England, and details of where the seeds came from between 1978 and 1984.

Robertshaw asked long serving staff members who knew nothing about it, and an internet search yielded nothing. With the name, he turned to the White Pages.

“I wanted to see if there were any Englands around in Hastings, so I looked through the White Pages and just rang a few people. Eventually his son, Darren England, rang me back.”

Darren England says he knew his father, who passed away in 2016, had donated the collection to EIT and after the floods, wondered what had happened to it.

“It’s nice to see the legacy is carrying on.”

A J England pictured in the 1980s in his office at Wrightson NMA Grain Store, Omahu Road. Photo/Supplied.

His father worked in the grain and seed industry and upon moving from Australia to Hawke’s Bay, ran the grain store for Wrightson NMA.

“I remember when we were young, we’d be driving somewhere, and he’d stop the car and jump a fence and grab some seeds off something. He was always on the lookout for odd seeds.”

Darren says his father made the wooden stands and case from scratch.

“I think it was too good to get rid of it and none of the family wanted it so he thought EIT could use it. He just wanted it to stay local I think.”

Horticulture and Environmental Management Lecturer Gerard Henry says the collection is “fairly unique”.

“I mean, it may not have been an untypical thing to have taken part in back in the 70s and even in the 80s. But for it to have survived and for us to find it now is pretty rare I’d say.”

Robertshaw, who teaches biosecurity and soil science courses, says the research opportunities are endless. He has also spoken to Massey University which has an extensive seed collection.

“We can do a lot from looking at the viability of the seeds after all this time to looking at DNA changes over time between varieties then and the varieties now. And at the very least it’s a teaching resource for us.”

EIT offers level 5 and 6 of the NZ Diploma in Environmental Management, as well as a Bachelor of Applied Science (Biodiversity Management).

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Ferry debacle means New Zealand is ‘steering blind’

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

Confusion around the future of KiwiRail’s Cook Strait ferries has left New Zealand ‘steering blind’ with its main inter island transport link, says the Maritime Union.

The latest development in the ferry saga is a suggestion in ministerial documents that KiwiRail might exit the Cook Strait ferries altogether if it is commercially unviable without subsidy.

Briefing documents from the Ministerial Advisory Group and Ministry of Transport have been released to the media under the Official Information Act.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says this scenario is deeply concerning and shows the Government has dropped the ball on transport.

Mr Harrison says he is surprised no one in the Government could foresee the consequences of cancelling iRex project funding last year.

“Within a few months we have gone from looking forward to modern ferries and fit for purpose terminals that would support our economy and producers for decades, to the future of interisland transport and everyone who relies on it being in free fall.”

He says while Strait Shipping currently offer ferry services that complement KiwiRail ferries, the scenario of putting the entire connection in the hands of a single overseas-owned monopoly would be a grave error, and would probably not be viable.

“The idea there is some magic market solution is not credible, because any operator will still have to source and pay for suitable vessels.”

He says the primary focus of interisland ferries should be their importance in the supply chain and the national economy, which included rail capability.

“The Cook Strait is part of the ‘blue highway’ – an extension of our national road and rail links.”

Mr Harrison says the current ferries are nearing end of life and are experiencing ongoing maintenance issues, with potentially catastrophic outcomes.

Interisland ferry Kaitaki lost power on its approach into Wellington Harbour on 28 January 2023, and was left drifting towards the coast in heavy weather with more than 800 passengers and 80 crew on-board. It issued a mayday before managing to restart engines and returning to port.

KiwiRail is now facing a health and safety charge relating to this incident brought by regulator Maritime New Zealand.

“Continuing to lease second hand vessels would still be costly, and mean there will still be ageing ferries on Cook Strait, increasing the risk of mechanical failure, delays, maintenance costs, and safety risks.”

Mr Harrison says the costs of cancelling the project at Korean shipbuilders Hyundai has not yet been confirmed but could run into hundreds of millions of dollars.

A suggestion by KiwiRail that the ferries be built, then on sold in order to try and recoup some of the cost of the cancelled project, was quashed by the Minister of Finance.

However, it has been reported the new Ministerial Advisory Group on the ferries has suggested this could be a potential option to avoid a massive financial loss.

Mr Harrison says further drawbacks include the failure to move to new low-emission technology and the implications for our climate change response.

Globally-recognised Climate Bonds Initiative certification issued to KiwiRail for a $350 million green loan has been revoked due to the cancellation of the ferry purchase.

The Maritime Union view is the Government should review the entire decision to cancel the new ferries and new terminals, says Mr Harrison.

“There is an opportunity to revisit the project, seek cost savings if required, then get on with the only responsible course of action which is a fit for purpose Cook Strait ferry link with modern vessels and terminals.”

He says it is now clear that planned tax cuts are not feasible as essential infrastructure investment has to take priority.

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EIT Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti student set to graduate despite tough Cyclone Gabrielle year | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

5 mins ago

Avril Keelan is looking forward to graduating at the EIT |Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti Campus graduation ceremony at the War Memorial Theatre in Gisborne on Friday.

Despite Cyclone Gabrielle forcing Ruatoria-based Avril Keelan online to complete her degree through EIT | Te Pūkenga, she is now looking forward to graduating on Friday.

Avril (Ngāti Porou) is a teacher at Te Kura o Hiruharama in Ruatoria, who finished her Bachelor of Arts (Maori) from EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti last year. She is set to graduate at the War Memorial Theatre in Gisborne on Friday.

The original plan was for Avril to travel down to complete the programme at the Tairāwhiti Campus, but Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle, which wreaked havoc in the region, put paid to that. While her property was not damaged, there was devastation around her.

“When the cyclones kicked in last year, major damage was done to the roads, so it was pretty hard to get into Gisborne, so my learning was done online.”

Because of her experience with Māori culture and her proficiency in te reo, Avril was fast-tracked into the third year of the programme last year. She had also done a degree in billigual teaching a number of years ago.

Forty-eight year old Avril, who was born in Invercargill, has lived in Tairāwhiti for many years.

She says that it is never too late for someone to study further and that’s why she decided to take a sabbatical from teaching to enrol at EIT | Te Pūkenga.

“It was the right time in my life. I’d been teaching for 15 years. I was exhausted.  But then, the opportunity arose and  I was lucky enough to receive a Teaching study award from TeachNZ last year. The course that I was doing would enhance my skills for school.  So it worked out really well.”

“It was a blessing. And now I’m back at school and my batteries are recharged and I’ve got so much to give everybody now.”

She says that what she enjoyed most about studying was being around “like-minded people”.

“Our tutors were really professional, but yet they had really good relationships with everybody. So they always made us feel really good and comfortable, and always very supportive.”

“I was also able to enhance my technology skills, because through our classes we had to use different multimedia and interactive learning.”

She says that she was also able to learn at her own pace.

One of the highlights for Avril was being able to research in depth the stories and histories of her hapu, Te Aitanga a Materoa.

“I knew a little bit, but not as much as I really thought. Having time to do thorough research was something I never had time to do previously.”

Avril says a key reason she was able to get through her degree was the support of husband Kapa Keelan, whanau, tutors Maria Wynyard and Angela Tibble and her classmates.

Angela Tibble, Programme Co-ordinator and Lecturer at Te Whatukura, EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti, said: “It is an honour to be able to offer teachers from the coast, professionals alike that wish to improve their reo, tikanga and local history knowledge here at Te Whatukura. Avril thrived in this learning environment and we are glad to know she is taking the skills learnt here back into her classroom.”

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EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti cohort set to graduate after tough years of COVID-19 and Cyclone Gabrielle | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

7 mins ago

Fifty-three EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti ākonga (students) will graduate on Friday.

Fifty-three EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti ākonga (students) will graduate on Friday.

The graduation ceremony will be held at the War Memorial Theatre in Gisborne. Bachelor of Computing systems graduand Angus Bogle with deliver the Valedictorian’s address. He will also receive the Cyclone Computer Company Award for Academic Excellence in the Bachelor of Computing Systems.

The graduation ceremony follows three tough years for this cohort with disruptions caused by COVID-19 and Cyclone Gabrielle.

Tracey Tangihaere, Executive Director of the EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti Campus, paid tribute to those graduating, saying it had not been an easy time for them.

“Congratulations to all those who cross the stage on Friday. Graduating is a big occasion, but this is extra special because of what they have been through.”

“We acknowledge all their hard work and wish them well in their chosen careers.”

Tracey says the calibre of those graduating was a credit to programmes offered by EIT | Te Pūkenga.

“We are pleased to offer a wide variety of programmes that ensure all our students finish equipped to enter the workforce.

The Tairāwhiti graduation is the first of EIT | Te Pūkenga graduation ceremonies. The Hawke’s Bay graduation will be held on 12 April , while the Auckland graduation will happen on 28 May.