AUT proud of accomplishments but looking to the future

AUT’s vice chancellor, Derek McCormack, is proud of the university’s achievements but says there is still room for improvement.

During an address this afternoon, Mr McCormack revealed the area with the most growth was the university’s postgraduate programme.

“It’s growing more than the bachelor’s degree and we’re continuing that growth this year.”

Although he’s proud of the university's accomplishments, he says there is room for further growth.

He says it’s time to revise the programmes already running at the university and see if there’s a need to introduce new ones.

“We might need to think about how we’re delivering them and think about who we are targeting. Are we targeting the right groups?”

Mr McCormack says one of the university’s accomplishments is having one of the largest Māori and Pacific student bodies in the country.

“I think that’s something we can be proud of.”

He also says AUT is making an important contribution to New Zealand.

“The contribution we’re making to Auckland and Aotearoa New Zealand is an important one that’s in line with where this government wants to go.”

When asked about the future, Mr McCormack said the university was going to take inspiration from overseas.

“We’re going to be looking at what universities of technology around the world are doing.”

For now, AUT is asking itself what it can do in New Zealand that will make it distinctive.