Category: research

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EIT pilot study into vaping among students extended beyond Hawke’s Bay | EIT Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

4 seconds ago

Left to Right: Melody Khan (Masters Student), Dr Sue Scott-Chapman (Secondary Supervisor), Associate Professor Anita Jagroop-Dearing (Principal Supervisor/Lead Researcher) and Associate Professor Rachel Forrest (Student Mentor).

An EIT research project addressing the epidemic of youth vaping among intermediate and high school students in Hawke’s Bay has been extended outside of the region following interest from a Bay of Plenty High School.

The extended out-of-region study titled ‘Vaping Landscape’ complements an existing study ‘Scoping solutions to address the epidemic of youth vaping in Aotearoa’ which is currently being conducted by a team led by Associate Professor Anita Jagroop-Dearing from EIT.

Vaping Landscape will focus on Pāpāmoa College and is being conducted by EIT Masters of Health Science student Melody Khan, who has been involved in the original study.

It is funded by a second grant from the Health Research Foundation Hawke’s Bay, which adds to the pool of funding for the project including grants from the Health Research Council and EIT.

Both studies hope to capture the stories, experiences and health awareness of e-cigarette vaping by youth. It will also make for a comparison of regional variations in vaping behaviours.

Anita says it will be the first comprehensive investigation into vaping among intermediate and high school students between two areas in New Zealand.

“We are working with a number of schools across Hawke’s Bay and additional funding has enabled the involvement of out-of-region schools.

“Pāpāmoa College approached us to say that they were experiencing issues to do with vaping in their school and that they would like to be a part of our study. After confirming the feasibility, obtaining the necessary ethics approval, and securing funding for an out-of-region school, we included them to conduct comparative studies.”

The college has more than 1700 students, of whom 28 percent are Māori and six percent are Pasifika.

 “Previous data indicated higher vaping rates among Māori and Pacific students compared to their non-Māori and non-Pacific peers. Therefore, we aim to compare the vaping behaviours in this school with those in Hawke’s Bay.”

Anita hypothesises that there may be regional differences between vaping behaviours in youth with distinctions in narrative of experiences and self-awareness.

Melody previously graduated with a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science at EIT. After being displaced due to Cyclone Gabrielle, she was able to pivot and extend this study for her masters.

“Initially I started with nutrition. My original masters thesis was nutrition and nutritional labelling, but when this opportunity opened up, I jumped on it because it’s something that’s going to need further research and is becoming more prevalent.”

Pāpāmoa College Deputy Principal (Tumuaki Katiriwā) Ben Ormsby says when they heard about the study, they thought why not reach out and see if they could be a part of it.

“Like most schools, we have been seeing an increase in vaping related incidents. Our rationale was that, while we are trying to find ways to educate students, we might as well volunteer to be part of the study.”

Ben says that the feedback from their community has been really positive about them being involved in the trial.

“We would suspect that whilst schools are struggling with youth vaping, the wider community is also seeing the impacts. The feedback to date would suggest the community is glad we are trying to do something about it.”

They are now looking forward to seeing what comes out of the study.

“If the information our students give forward contributes to something positive to tackle youth vaping, whether that be strategies or messaging then we thought it will be well worth it.”

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EIT says farewell to long-standing research director | EIT Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

14 mins ago

EIT is farewelling its Research Director Associate Professor Jonathan Sibley.

EIT has farewelled its long-standing Research Director, Associate Professor Jonathan Sibley, who has been at the forefront of driving research at the institute.

Jonathan, who joined EIT’s School of Business in 2016 and has headed EIT’s Research and Innovation Centre (RIC) since 2018, is retiring from the role to pursue other interests.

Together with former Executive Dean Natalie Waran, he led the push towards increasing grants for researchers at EIT and encouraging them to participate in the Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) process.

Jonathan says that a strong research culture was built at EIT under the direction of former Chief Executive Chris Collins.

“Chris, along with the then Executive Deans Susan Jacobs, Natalie and Professors Bob Marshall and Kay Morris Matthews, ensured that we were very research active in the ITP sector.”

“We built an enviable position for regional polytechnics in research and were able to establish a research centre with Te Kura i Awarua, to engage in research as a principle. Great thanks are owed to Professors David Tipene Leach and Annemarie Gillies for their leadership in the development of the Centre and our rangahau Māori capability.”

Jonathan says despite challenging times during COVID-19 and Cyclone Gabrielle, research has continued.

“We built a really strong, nationally recognised research culture with a number of researchers who had an international reputation.”

“As we move back to independence, we have an excellent platform for further developing our research culture.”

“EIT can also be proud that it hosts the largest number of international postgraduate students among New Zealand polytechnics,” says Jonathan, who also teaches and supervises students in the postgraduate business programmes.

EIT’s Executive Dean, Faculty of Commerce and Technology John West paid tribute to Jonathan for his professionalism and research leadership.

“Jonathan has led the evolution of the School of Business’ postgraduate studies. He has also played an important role in fostering research and mentoring our researchers.”

“We thank him for everything that he has contributed and wish him well in the future.”

Jonathan will continue teaching in the School of Business’ postgraduate programme on a part-time basis.

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Passion for art leads 76-year-old to EIT and to publish children’s book | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 days ago

Maureen Box (centre) shows off her new book with Tracey Adams, EIT Reprographic Technician, (left) and Raewyn Paterson, Programme Co-ordinator for EIT’s Level 3 & 4 Certificates in Art and Design.

A lifelong passion for art led 76-year-old Maureen Box to enrol at EIT’s IDEAschool – a move that has resulted in her writing and illustrating a children’s book.

Maureen (Ngāti Māhu, Ngāti Hinepare, Ngai Tāwhao, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Ahuriri) has lived a full life – passionate about education and the arts, as a mother, and in later years a teacher. She is also an active trustee on Moteo Marae, helping with the recovery from damage by Cyclone Gabrielle last year.

Maureen grew up at Moteo, near Puketapu, attending primary school there.  She now lives in Hastings.  Her husband, Paul – a musician – has since passed on, but she is surrounded by family – six children, 15 mokopuna & seven mokomoko  (great grandchildren)

Having retired as a primary school teacher nine years ago, Maureen has always enjoyed painting, stemming back from her childhood years when her father let her paint murals on the lounge wall.

It was when her daughter Melanie, who used to work at EIT, mentioned that there was an Art programme at IDEAschool that she may be interested in, that she decided to give it a go.

That turned out to be the  Level 3 Certificate in Arts and Design, which Maureen started  the same day that Cyclone Gabrielle hit.   The Course was re-started in July on the EIT campus, and despite the disruptions, Maureen was still able to attend and complete the Course. 

She is about to start the Level 4 programme in July,

however, it is her work during Level 3 that led her to opening a new chapter in her life, writing and illustrating children’s books.

When the children’s book assignment was introduced, Maureen was able to act on an idea about publishing a book that she and her daughter had thought of previously. 

“We had to write and illustrate a kiddies book, and the illustrations had to be one of the media that we were taught for that.”

The book is a pūrākau about Moremore, the son of Pānia of the Reef, a well-known story in Hawke’s Bay.  Pānia, a maiden who lived in the sea, used to come ashore at Mataruahoe, also known as Bluff Hill. Karitoki, the handsome son of a Māori chief, met Pānia at the stream flowing from the base of the Hukarere Cliff, and fell in love with her.

A son was born to Pania and Karitoki. Because he had no hair, they called him Moremore; the hairless one.  The book tells the story of Moremore, a kaitiaki (guardian) of the area, who often disguises himself as a shark, a stingray, an octopus, or a log. 

This well-known pūrākau amongst nga hapū o Ahuriri has been passed down orally, but had not been written as a kiddies ‘ book.  

“I researched online recollections, including snippets from the WAI documents, and spoke with a member  of the Tareha family to make sure that it was the authentic version”

“The Tareha family is descended from Moremore and the whakapapa is included in the book”

Maureen has both written the story, and created beautiful illustrations using inks and dyes.  Maureen was taught the conventions of book layouts for publication.  The book, called “Moremore, he Tipua Kaitiaki”, has been published by Maureen through EIT Reprographic Services and she is looking at a second print run as a friend of hers has translated the book into te reo.

It is just the beginning for Maureen, who feels that the stories of Ahuriri and Heretaunga, should be preserved ensuring that the essence of pūrākau, lives on.

“I like to keep busy and I like learning something new. You’re never too old to stop learning, for sure.”

Raewyn Paterson, Programme Co-ordinator for EIT’s Level 3 & 4 Certificates in Art and Design, said: “Maureen was a really high achieving student, who eagerly embraced all of the media that she was introduced to which included textiles, printmaking, drawing, painting, typography, and ceramics.”

“It is so rewarding to see our graduate take the skills she was taught and further develop them into the reality of a published book. “

“We are certainly looking forward to seeing what other projects she will do when she learns more skills in the Level 4 Arts and Design.”

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Chinese experience stimulates EIT academic’s artistic research | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

16 mins ago

Anthony Chiappin, a Graphic Communications Senior Lecturer, is also the programme co-ordinator for EIT’s suite of design offerings.

The experience of teaching an EIT programme in Digital Communications to Chinese students has stimulated an IDEAschool lecturer’s artistic research.

Anthony Chiappin, a Graphic Communications Senior Lecturer, is  part of a team of three NZ Design lecturers that deliver EIT’s Bachelor of Creative Practice in China. His own qualifications are a Bachelor of Design and a Masters in Visual Art from Australia’s Monash University.

His dual focus these days is teaching EIT’s Bachelor of Creative Practice  at Zhejiang Yuexiu University (ZYU) in China, and into the domestic programmes in New Zealand. The Chinese teaching has consisted of firstly online and now over in China, face to face with the students.

It was during his visits to China that Anthony, who is originally from Australia, felt his creativity receive a new lease on life.

“I’ve had two stints in China, a total of four and a half months.”

The last one was just over two months with him returning home in late April.

Anthony, who has been at IDEAschool for 13 years and a researcher for even longer, says research is very important to him.

“I call it the sacred feather in the boa of continuation and connection with things that are important to your teaching, but also important to your career and to the work that you’re doing.”

“It’s been an amazing journey. While I was in China, I took the opportunity to do some artwork and I really ripped into it.  In the ZYU apartment I had room to work and it was the first studio that I’ve been able to work in since the cyclone.”

The work he produced there is his China “Episode” Series. He is hoping to get some funding to be able to exhibit the work in China next year.

Asked how Chinese taste in art differed from that in the West, Anthony said China has a very strong cultural base.

“Even in a contemporary sense. There’s a lot of dialogue around the state of China where it’s at currently, but there’s a lot of cultural significance within the work, whereas the Western model is quite different in that sense.”

He says his art form moves between figurative and abstract, with abstract currently taking hold.

“I call my paintings ‘Episodes’. I see them as an ongoing narrative, kind of like a comic book journey where I use superhero narratives within what I do, based on suburban mythologies.” This dialogue certainly comes to play a part within my teaching practice.”

“It was a fantastic eye-opener to be flung into the epicentre of a more provincial city like Shaoxing.”

A point of difference for this work is that he is using Chinese cardboard packing boxes with colourful motifs as the base for his paintings.

“It is quite powerful because the motifs are proudly ensconced within the work. I had worked on boxes in my master’s series years ago, but it just seemed like a natural fit to be able to grab these boxes from the supermarkets on campus, in particular, and use that as the basis to the work.”

“I used four of the paintings, where I call them ‘The Philosophers’. I was influenced by a lot of the works that I was seeing around Zhejiang province and Shanghai as well. But in particular, the beautiful ink paintings by some of the calligraphers and artists in that region from 200 years ago. It was a bit of a mishmash of all this influence being flung at me because China’s overwhelming.”

Anthony says that at present his main focus is China, be it writing, teaching or researching.

It has been a rewarding experience for him, as last year he won “The Overseas Teacher of the Year Award” along with seven other teachers in many other disciplines at the University.

Another project that he is particularly proud of is one involving his wife, Nikki Gabriel, who is a textile designer and holds a Masters of Art & Design from AUT and is a current PhD Candidate at RMIT University, Melbourne. Nikki has just had a book called Construction Knitting published by Bloomsbury Academic Press, London.

“It’s about designing, but knitwear design with geometric shapes is the premise to that. So it’s been an eight-year journey to get that to the point where it’s now published and out in the world.”

Anthony says he was responsible for the photographs and illustrations, with art direction and content by Nikki.

“That’s been a huge part of my research over many, many years. And now that it’s published, I can talk about it as a research project.”

Acting Head of EIT’s IDEAschool Sue Blackmore said: “EIT is encouraging  and supportive of the research endeavours of all EIT lecturers and Anthony’s new series of work inspired by his time in China is very exciting.“

“The team of Bachelor of Creative Practice and Bachelor of Computer Science lecturers that travel and work in Shaoxing are amazing ambassadors for EIT and NZ in China.”

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Desire to upskill led experienced manager to EIT and New Zealand | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

7 mins ago

Lawrence Dcruz is graduating with a Masters in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from EIT Auckland this week.

Working in Dubai as a manager for many years led Lawrence Dcruz to realise that he needed to study further in order to be in line for top jobs.

Fifty-six-year-old Lawrence, who is originally from Chennai in India, graduated with a Masters  in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from EIT Auckland on Tuesday 28th May at the  Aotea Centre in Auckland. He completed the programme last year.

It has been a long journey for Lawrence, who spent more than 20 years working in shipping and logistics in Dubai. While he enjoyed the life there, he realised that he needed more.

“I found that  in the Middle East, they would give great importance to people who have studied a masters or had a management degree to climb into upper management levels.”

“Even though I had a lot of years of experience behind me, I would find someone who had a masters  or an MBA  would supersede me on selection for top management.”

He realised that he needed to upskill himself and to use his logistic and shipping experience with a relevant degree.

“I started this great search, looking for a management course. And even though I chose a management course with one paper specialisation in logistics, it was not good enough for me, I wanted a professional course.”

“And that’s when I stumbled upon EIT. The papers there were exceptional. And when I started the programme, I soon realised that I was familiar with what I was studying.”

Lawrence said that while he needed to work hard, he found the guidance from the lecturers comforting.

“The way the programme was structed was phenomenal and I enjoyed the way the lecturers helped us with assignments.

“A lot of research went into the programme. I was apprehensive when I started, but everything soon fell into place.”

Lawrence, who had to pay a quick visit to his ill mother in India, returned in time for the graduation this week. His wife, Celine, watched with pride as he crossed the stage.

Having received a work visa, Lawrence is looking for a job as he really enjoys living in New Zealand.

“It’s a very beautiful country. I say it’s like paradise compared to the concrete jungles of the Middle East.. It is a lifestyle that allows you to stop and smell the roses.”

Cherie Freeman, EIT Auckland Campus Director congratulated Lawrence on graduating.

“I wish Lawrence well for the future. His lecturers enjoyed having him in class as he was able to share his global industry experience with his fellow students.”

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Celebrations as student cohort from EIT Auckland Campus graduates | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 mins ago

The EIT Auckland Campus held its graduation ceremony this week.

There were celebrations aplenty as a cohort of students from last year graduated from the EIT Auckland Campus this week.

Sixty-three students, mainly international students, graduated with a range of postgraduate qualifications, degrees and diplomas at a ceremony at the  Aotea Centre in Auckland on Tuesday 28th May.

Thirty-two year old Julie Mercado from the Philippines graduated  with a Master of Information Technology and also delivered a speech as Valedictorian.

EIT Auckland Campus Director Cherie Freeman congratulated all those who graduated this week.

“We are very proud of this cohort of students who have enhanced our Campus with their different cultures and academic experience.”

“It was a good year for our students after some recent tough times.”

EIT is pleased to be able to offer a range of quality programmes that appeal to international students wishing to advance their careers and lives,” says Cherie.

EIT Auckland offers a range of programmes in business, computing and health science. These include Master of Applied Management, Master of Digital Business, Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Master of Information Technology, and Master of Health Science.

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Top Researcher and Academic to become EIT Executive Dean, Faculty of Education, Humanities and Health Science | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

25 seconds ago

Dr Helen Ryan-Stewart is EIT’s new Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Health Science.

EIT has appointed a top researcher and sports scientist as its new Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Health Science.

Dr Helen Ryan-Stewart joined EIT from the University of Winchester in the United Kingdom in 2022. Initially appointed to the role of Assistant Head of the School of Health and Sport Science, Helen was soon made Acting Head of School following the secondment of Dr Ondene van Dulm, to Te Pūkenga.

She has been acting Dean since last year and will now lead the Faculty permanently.

Dr Ryan-Stewart says that she is humbled by the opportunity to be part of EIT’s decision-making body. She will also lead EIT’s cohort of researchers.

“I am ready to take up the challenge of leading this Faculty and supporting our talented educators and researchers.”

“EIT has some world class academics and researchers and this is a further opportunity to showcase their talents.”

“As the largest tertiary institute in the Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti region, we are uniquely positioned to provide ākonga with a quality education so that they can pursue the career of their choice.”

EIT Executive Director Kieran Hewitson welcomed Dr Ryan-Stewart to the EIT Executive, saying that she would add value to the team.

“Helen has proven her capabilities while acting as Dean. She is well regarded and works well with members of the faculty.”

“There is a lot of work ahead of us and it is good to have an executive made up of people of the calibre of Helen.”

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Experienced academic leader appointed to Executive Dean role | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

15 mins ago

John West has been appointed as EIT’s Executive Dean, Faculty of Commerce and Technology.

John West, an experienced academic leader, has been appointed as EIT’s Executive Dean, Faculty of Commerce and Technology.

Mr West, who has most recently been Head of EIT’s Schools of Business and Computing, has been acting Dean since April 2022, when long-serving Executive Dean Fred Koenders resigned.

Mr West says that he is looking forward to taking up the Dean role permanently and working with a new executive team.

“I am pleased to be given this opportunity to lead a Faculty of dedicated professionals and look forward to what the future holds.”

“It has been an uncertain time for many of our kaimahi so I am looking forward to helping create a settled environment where they can focus on what they do best – educating our learners.”

“We have an exciting future ahead and I have no doubt that EIT will continue to build the strong reputation and relationship it has in the Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti community.”

EIT Executive Director Kieran Hewitson welcomed Mr West to the team.

“John has done an excellent job in an acting capacity for a long time. He brings experience and professionalism to the table and I am pleased that he is now a permanent member of the executive team.”

“There is a lot of work ahead of us and it is good to have an executive made up of people of the calibre of John.”

Mr West has been with EIT since 2021 when he was appointed Head of School. Previously Mr West was the Product and Service Manager at eCampus NZ, one of New Zealand’s largest online learning developers, based in Christchurch. He has also held the roles of Head of the Business School and  Director of Student Services at Ara Institute of Canterbury

Originally from Gisborne, he has now made Hawke’s Bay his home.

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Meaningful research showcased at Te Kai a te Rangatira Lunchtime Research Presentation | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

6 days ago

Associate Professor Dr Anita Jagroop-Dearing presented at the April session of EIT Research’s Te Kai a te Rangatira Lunchtime Research Presentation

Associate Professor Dr Anita Jagroop-Dearing and Tania Du Plessis presented at the April session of EIT Research’s  Te Kai a te Rangatira Lunchtime Research Presentation.

Anita presented her research on the actions to address the epidemic of youth vaping among intermediate and high school students in Aotearoa.

“Youth vaping is an epidemic in Aotearoa, with Māori students disproportionately affected. Preliminary data show that they are 2.5 times more likely to vape daily than their peers. Vaping is associated with a number of health risks, including brain development, respiratory, cardiovascular and mental health problems.

“However, there are no in-depth studies in Aotearoa that have identified students’ motivation to vape and what knowledge they have about these health harms. There also does not appear to be appropriate education material available to schools so that we might implement educational interventions.”

The research uses a qualitative approach, including focus groups and one-on-one interviews with intermediate and high school students. While the study is ongoing, Anita says they have done 467 students between the ages of 11-18, 21 percent of whom vape regularly.

Tania, Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) Programme Coordinator, delivered an autoethnographic narrative on early childhood student teachers in a nature-based, outdoor learning environment.

“Growing up with ample experiences in nature and forming a strong connection with it led me to assume that all people value its influence and impact on the holistic development and wellbeing of children.”

Tania says coaching student teachers on facilitating learning for children in nature shed new light on these suppositions when some of them did not share her sentiments.

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Research is not just a job requirement, but fundamental aspect of professional life, says EIT lecturer | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

April 16, 2024

Amr van den Adel

In this feature we interview staff members who have been identified as Early Career Researchers. In the spotlight is Amr van den Adel, a Senior Lecturer in the EIT School of Computing in Auckland.

What is your highest qualification and where and when did you finish it?

Doctor of Philosophy in Digital Forensics and Counterterrorism.

Are you currently completing any other post graduate programmes?

Yes, I am currently in my 2nd year working on my 2nd Doctor of Philosophy.

What is your role at EIT and what courses do you teach?

Senior Lecturer and I teach courses related to IT Concepts and Tools.

What areas do you specialise in?

Information Technology, Digital Forensics, Cybersecurity, Industry 5.0, Human-Centric solutions, Smart Education, Fog Computing, and Vulnerability Assessments.

What research have you been involved in either last year or this year (please give details)?

Last year, I was involved in research related to the Future of Industry 5.0 and its societal implications, focusing on human-centric solutions, challenges, and prospective research areas. This work was published in the Journal of Cloud Computing (2022), and Smart Cities Journal (2023) and has been cited 285 times since 2022 and 2023, indicating a significant impact in the field. Both journals as ranked as Q1 with high impact factor in the field. In addition, I published a conceptual framework to improve cyber forensic administration in Industry 5.0 at Forensic Sciences journal, which was another key research focus in 2022 and has received 8 citations. Since 2020, there has been a notable increase in the number of research publications in the field.

This year, I have continued my research on the convergence of different technologies in smart education, specifically looking at the transition from Industry 4.0 to 5.0, as indicated by a publication in Smart Cities journal (2024), which also has received a citation. The research details the roles of intelligent tutoring, robotics, and IoT in shaping smart education environments.

How important is research to you as an academic?

As an academic with a robust research profile, it’s clear that research is not just a job requirement, but a fundamental aspect of my professional life. My engagement in dynamic fields such as Cyber Security, Industry 5.0, Fog Computing, and Smart Education hints a deep commitment to advancing these critical areas of study. The significant citation counts of my publications, especially the influential work on the future of Industry 5.0, underscores my impactful contribution to contemporary scholarly conversations and technological progress. Moreover, with a consistent h-index and i10-index, my research has established me as a recognized and respected researcher within the academic community. This recognition is not only a testament to my scholarly dedication but also to my role in shaping the landscape of the field. Top of Form

How supportive is EIT in encouraging you to do research?

EIT has provided substantial support for my research endeavors, offering financial backing this year that has been instrumental in advancing my projects. Their assistance has also extended to increasing the visibility of my work within the wider academic community, thereby facilitating greater engagement with my research.