In its third year, the annual event is a cooperative initiative, involving Te Wananga -o -Aotearoa, Te Wananga-o-Raukawa, Massey University, START Youth Transition Services, and UCOL, designed especially for Maori learning choices.

The Expo has a number of unique features. Although four training organisations will take part, material is presented according to career and programme topics.

UCOL’s Community Liaison Officer Gloria Evans says the Kia Maia Expo is the only careers event to do this. “The displays are divided into programme topics, such as business, science and health, rather than displays for each institution,” she says. “Visitors can then go to an area of study they are interested in, and compare each provider’s programmes.

“It’s is a great opportunity for young Maori between 11 and 24 to check out their options for the future.”

The Kia Maia Careers Expo will be held on Friday 25^th May 2012 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the UCOL Atrium off Princess Street.

Organisers expect a large turnout from the Palmerston North, Tararua and Horowhenua regions, with busloads of school and mature students, and their supporters coming in.

There will be interactive displays and entertainment by school Kapa Haka groups.

Where: UCOL Atrium, Princess Street entrance.

When: Friday 25 May from 10.00am – 1.00pm.

Entries for the competition also included 80 from UCOL students and 80 from Massey University students.

UCOL’s Deputy Chief Executive Strategy Clare Crawley says this early stage creativity confirms the region’s strength as an excellent environment for young, entrepreneurial talent, supported by the presence of two leading tertiary education institutions.  “It’s a strength that allows us to take a very positive view of the future of Manawatu, as these young people add to growth and progress,” she says.

Innovate Manawatu announce the Top Ten finalists at a special event in Palmerston North tonight (Thursday).

The ten finalists were selected from a total of 350 entries for this year’s Dragon Den-style competition. The prize pool is worth $40,000, with the winner to receive $10,000 cash. All finalists receive $1000 and entry to the BCC (Bio Commerce Centre) market validation programme.

One of the finalists will also receive the UCOL Youth Award with a further $1000 and extra support to develop their entry.

Clare Crawley says the finalists’ entries include some stunning inventions, concepts and solutions. “They are now all in line to get support for their ideas, with the Innovate Manawatu aim to turn ideas into realities.”

“We’re also pleased to see one of our third year Bachelor of Applied Visual Imaging students in the finals,” she adds.

Of all of the entries, nearly 65 per cent were ideas for a product, 35 per cent for a service.

BCC Business Growth Manager Warren Bebb says 32 entries made it to Stage Three of the competition. “They pitched their ideas to the Judges, who then choose the top 10 to progress to Stage Four which involves rigorous testing of the idea (known as market validation). After that the Top 10 will do a final pitch to the judges who will choose the winner, to be announced on 31 July.”

The BCC secures investment funding to shape and grow technology businesses; they offer management support and mentoring for start-ups; and facilitate the commercialisation of new technology from the lab to industry.

In a record for UCOL, four teams will take part in the V48 Hour Film Festival. New Zealand’s largest film-making contest starts at 7.00pm on Friday night and ends exactly 48 hours later on Sunday evening.

UCOL Video lecturer in the Bachelor of Applied Visual Imaging (BAVI) programme Mel Edmon says, “This year the V48 Hour is huge for us. We have three second year student teams entered and one third year student team,” she says. “The second years are required to participate as part of their course work. The third years just couldn’t help themselves, and are doing it because they loved the experience so much last year.”

The teams prepare for a frenetic weekend of film-making.

Third year BAVI students Dan Scott and Mike Watson are part of Team Mo Faux. The eight member crew is made up of students who ‘bonded in adversity’ during last year’s competition. “The V48 Hour is a real adrenalin buzz,” says Dan. “We have an advantage this year as we know what to expect from the weekend – lots of dramas and not much sleep!”

Second year BAVI student and producer of the Take 9 crew Alice Johansen, says the expected pressure of the competition excites her, “I don’t scare easily.”

She says the three second year teams are working closely together in preparation for the chaotic two days.

“We have been scouting possible locations, gaining filming permission where necessary and forming basic story lines,” she says. “There is a lot of behind-the-scenes planning over and above the film-making process. We’ve had to arrange the catering for the weekend and amongst everything else, have managed to perfect the recipe for fake blood.”

The 48 Hour Film Festival is also part of the UCOL Diploma in Performing Arts students’ assessment this year. Formal auditions were held and the budding actors have been cast to allocated teams.

Jaime Dorner, Programme Leader of the Diploma in Performing Arts, believes the V48 Hour competition is an incredible opportunity to incorporate a collaborative process between disciplines. “Acting and film-making are codependent on each other, so we are creating a synergy which will be a learning tool, as well as a more professional product”, says Jaime.

It is the sixth year that teams of students from UCOL have taken part and the second year it has been integrated as part of the second year BAVI course assessment.

Mel says the contest is a great way for students to learn by doing. “They have to plan well and work together to meet a very tight deadline. “It is a brilliant assessment tool in an environment that you can’t recreate in the classroom.”

All teams are assigned a movie genre at 7.00 pm on the Friday night. They must then write their script, produce storyboards, arrange locations, costumes and props before their shoot begins on the Saturday morning.

Editing and post production takes place as the film is still being shot. All entries must be submitted by the 7.00 pm Sunday deadline.

Dan Scott says the highly charged film-making competition has taught him a lot about how he, and others, performs under pressure.

“We quickly learnt how to build on our strengths – there’s not enough time to build on your weaknesses!”

Photo: The teams prepare for a frenetic weekend of film-making.

She is one of nine finalists in the annual Weston Milling competition to find the best apprentice bakers in New Zealand. The competition is supported by the Baking Industry Association of New Zealand.

Larissa will join the eight other finalists at a two day training course with baking professionals at Heavens Training Facility in Napier before going on to the final bake-off at the Fine Food Show in Auckland on 18 and 19 June.

The training course will include an event in Napier on Tuesday 15 May organised by the Baking Industry Association to allow employers and training providers to meet the Top 9.

Larissa, who is completing the six-month Certificate in Bakery and Pastry Level 3 at UCOL, was intrigued by the process required to reach the finals. “I had to bake a three braided white loaf, a fruit strudel and an American chocolate brownie.  The entry conditions are quite strict for competitions like this. For example, the brownies had to be a specific size and cut a certain way.” When the entries were baked and carefully packed by Larissa, they were couriered off to Auckland for judging.

Thirty nine year-old Larissa left school at 15 without a formal qualification and is new to tertiary education. She says she is learning a lot from her UCOL lecturers and Chef Lecturer Mark Smith who nominated her for the competition and will accompany her to the finals in Auckland.

But Larissa didn’t have to start from scratch when she began the certificate programme at UCOL: She says her love of baking came from her mother. “I was trained at the kitchen bench with Mum. Now it’s one of my greatest pleasures that my own 11 year old daughter is learning from me at the kitchen bench. She loves it and she’s already talking about following me into formal training at UCOL.”

The six month Certificate in Bakery and Pastry Level 3 programme covers the basics of baking and pastry production, including how to make breads and dough, hot and cold desserts and pastry goods and is offered in Palmerston North and at UCOL Wairarapa. Students also learn how to produce commercial volumes of baked goods and pastry to be sold in retail shops or restaurants.

Larissa intends to seek a bakery job in Palmerston North when she has completed the programme.

The event recognises the achievements of those in the Palmerston North, Manawatu, Rangitikei and Tararua regions who have gained their qualifications in 2011.

UCOL’s Executive Dean of Trades and Technology Kelly Gay says, as a big player in trades training in the region, UCOL is delighted to support and sponsor the event.

“UCOL is part of the pathway, along with Industry Training Organisations, that ensures students have a smooth progression to becoming tradespeople” he says. “We are excited to be associated with an event that celebrates the graduation of apprentices into tradespeople and to recognize their achievement.”

Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor will present the Mayoral Award to an apprentice who has achieved outstanding success, and MP for Palmerston North Iain Lees-Galloway will present the Employers Award to businesses recognised for their contribution to employee industry training.

The graduates trained in retail, hairdressing, gas fitting, plumbing, automotive engineering/machining/refinishing, joinery, civil construction, flooring, telecommunications, printing, sign-making, community support services, carpentry and water reticulation will attend the ceremony.

A procession from the Regent on Broadway to Highflyers will be held following the ceremony.

When: 6.00 pm, Friday 27 April.

Where: Regent on Broadway.

Ian has been teaching photography at UCOL for 10 years and F11 says he lives what he teaches, and practices what he preaches. “He’s a Polaroid aficionado, and we’re delighted to share some of his instant pictures with you.”

The featured photographs include several taken by Ian during research by a team of Bachelor of Applied Visual Imaging lecturers on trends in typography in signage.

On teaching, he says: “There’s an old saying: ‘Those who can do, and those who can’t teach’. But I’d rather stand up in front of 200 people at a wedding (which I’ve done hundreds of times) than, tethered to a 40” screen, shoot a portrait in a third-year class and face the prospect of — if that shot isn’t perfect first time — having 20 critics picking it apart… and they can smell fear. The other side of that saying is: “Those who can, can’t always teach” – respect to all teachers.

Boggie, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Polaroid SX-70 Land camera Supercolor Autofocus, SX-70 film. © Ian Rotherham

“The positive side of teaching, which outweighs any negatives, is seeing people who once ‘snapped the cat’ grow into creators of images that make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up because they are so amazing.

“I also learn from my students — their experiments, their photographic voices, and so much more. Being in the situation of constantly being asked ‘why’ makes me find out. It makes me think about the bigger questions.”

As well as teaching, Ian is also a practicing photographer. His exhibition of signage photographs is showing at Square Edge in Palmerston North. His current project is a study of the state house aesthetic to be shot in Savage Crescent in Palmerston North, one of the first planned communities of state houses.

Ian’s number one tip on being a photographer: “Enjoy the problem solving, scariness, and geekiness of photography, as that is where you get your emotional rewards. If you don’t enjoy what is involved in creating a finished work, don’t do photography, as that is what being a photographer means.”

You can see Ian’s photographs at URL for F11 and at https://www.facebook.com/Ian.Rotherham.Photographer.Lecturer

Body Landscape, Matamau, New Zealand. Canon 5DMkII. © Ian Rotherham

The scholarships are aimed at teenagers who are ready for a new educational challenge, have made a start towards NCEA, want to enrol in full time tertiary study, and want to learn practical skills.

Funded by the Ministry of Education, and administered and delivered by UCOL, the scheme allows students to participate in tertiary education without accumulating debt. 

UCOL’s sixty Youth Guarantee first semester students  are studying towards certificates in Hairdressing, Electrical and Related Trades, Science and Health, Automotive Engineering,  Automotive Panel and Paint, Motorsport, Tourism, Travel, Professional Cookery, Baking and Pastry, Hospitality, Trade Skills, Tertiary Study Skills L1 and 2, Fashion and Beauty and National Certificate Mechanical Engineering. 

Bonnie says, “The Youth Guarantee Scheme is important to UCOL because we are passionate about providing opportunities for the young people in our region to succeed, and be given a chance to study in a supportive, tertiary environment. It’s essentially a scholarship, it’s an opportunity that not everyone is given.”

As they accepted the scholarship awards in the ceremony, many of the students indicated their intention to carry on after this first step to further advancement in programmes such as nursing, medical imaging and more advanced trade programmes. 

“We are delighted that we have Youth Guarantee students on our Wairarapa and Whanganui campuses this year, as well as Palmerston North,” says Bonnie.  

Bonnie told the students, “Your lecturers want you to be successful, and all the Student Experience Team are there to ensure you have the support you need. Work hard, use the help. I want to see you graduate and go on with further study or employment.” 

Photos: UCOL’s Youth Guarantee students gathered to receive their scholarships.

The new programme – the Certificate in Art and Design – starts at UCOL mid-April and will end in December.

Students will study full time, learning about drawing, painting, computer graphic design, and New Zealand art history.

Head of UCOL’s School of Photography, Arts and Design Rachel Hoskin says the programme will appeal to people who want to create and find out more about original art and design. “It can also be used as a foundation programme for those who want to go on to further study on our arts and design degree programmes at Whanganui and Palmerston North, including the Bachelor of Fine Arts offered at Whanganui UCOL.”

Nicola Marshall

“It may also appeal to school leavers with an interest in the creative industries and practicing artists or designers who want to broaden their practice or create employment opportunities.”

Lead lecturer for the new programme is successful designer Nicola Marshall. Nicola says the programme is largely practical and hands-on and students will be encouraged to experiment. “There will also be field trips and guest lecturers, including practicing artists and designers.

“Maori and Polynesian art both historical and contemporary will be explored as well as the relationship between New Zealand and the world.”

Palmerston North people can meet Nicola and other UCOL lecturers, students and graduates at an information evening next month. It will be held in the Gallery Space of the UCOL School of Photography, Art and Design block in in Queen Street between 4 pm and 6 pm on Wednesday 11 April.

About:  Nicola Marshall

Nicola Marshall graduated from Canterbury University with a Diploma in Fine Arts majoring in Film.

She worked in the film industry in Wellington and Auckland and won a scholarship from the QE2 Arts Council to be trained as a set dresser.  Another scholarship from the British Council enabled her to travel to the UK to observe studio and location productions.

Nicola did post graduate studies at the Chelsea School of Art and Design in London, studying technical drawing and television set design.

Back in New Zealand, she began a 15 year career as a Production Designer with TVNZ.  She designed sets for dramas, children’s, news and magazine, entertainment shows and was nominated for a Film & Television award for Joyful & Triumphant. Nicola also worked for other networks and independent producers and taught in the Avalon Film & Television School.

Nicola left TVNZ in 2006 to persue an academic career and also ran her own very successful screen design practice.  She has taught at Toi Whakaari, CPIT Broadcasting School, and the New Zealand Film School.  She teaches computer aided design and drawing on UCOL’s Interior Design Diploma programme and  performance design and installation art on the Diploma in Performing Arts programme.

She recently became a mentor with the Emerging Artists Trust.  She says at UCOL she has the opportunity to work with a broad range of students.  “The culture at UCOL is special: I have been able to work with adult learners of all ages. I am a big believer in life-long learning.”

Nicola lives in Wellington and has and two teenage children.

The award was announced at UCOL’s graduation ceremony in Palmerston North today (Wednesday).

UCOL’s Honorary Fellow Award is made to people outside UCOL who have made an outstanding and distinguished contribution to the institution and/or the wider community and society in general.

Paul and Fran Dibble have lived and worked in Palmerston North for more than 30 years, with Paul working full-time as a sculptor in an inner city foundry. Earlier Paul lectured at the Palmerston North College of Education and Fran lectured in biochemistry and molecular biology at UCOL. Both have exhibited widely in Palmerton North as well as nationally and internationally.

The Chair of UCOL’s Council Trevor Goodwin says Paul Dibble’s work is well known to the people of Palmerston North. “Major pieces of sculpture are on display outside the Palmerston North Art Gallery, the Palmerston North Library, the Regent, and UCOL’s Princess Street entrance. Recently, Paul donated another major work to the city and it has been installed across the road from Square Edge.

“These attractive and engaging pieces have added an important dimension to our city and community. Many local people and institutions have acquired works by Paul Dibble and we all regard him as one of our own. But his reputation goes well beyond Palmerston North. His work has been widely exhibited and distributed both nationally and overseas. Paul was chosen to create the New Zealand Hyde Park Corner Memorial in 2006.”

Mr Goodwin says Fran Dibble is an artist and art reviewer, regularly appearing in the Evening Standard. “She is the author of Paul Dibble (Bateman, 2002), a book that covers three decades of Paul’s work. She has also managed the business side of the foundry and is an artist in her own right.”

Paul and Fran Dibble recently announced their plans to move north for the next phase of their lives and work. “The award of this honour allows UCOL to recognise the enormous contribution they have made together to the heart and soul of this community,” Mr Goodwin says.

Former Project Director, based at UCOL’s Palmerston North campus, Jule Einhorn, received an Institutional Medal at today’s graduation ceremony, for “particularly meritorious services” to UCOL.

Mr Goodwin says she managed the “enormous task” of transforming UCOL’s Whanganui campus, into the new campus entity Te Matapihi ki Te Ao, opened by the then Prime Minister Helen Clark in 2008.

“We also wanted to acknowledge her ability to achieve inclusivity, ensuring that Whanganui iwi were partners in the new campus project from the outset.”

Jule managed disposal of parts of the old campus and led negotiations with the Tupoho Whanau Trust to establish a Community Complex at the old UCOL campus.

Mr Goodwin says, “These achievements are fine examples of Jule’s professionalism and dedication to regional education and the furtherance of bicultural harmony and understanding.”

In his speech to graduates at UCOL”s first graduation ceremony today, Chief Executive Paul McElroy described the increase – from 1078 graduates last year to 1654 this year – an increase of 53 per cent – as “phenomenal” and congratulated UCOL staff and graduates on the result.

“It reflects the planning and hard work that we have out into further improving the learning environment at UCOL. This includes changes to the support services we offer – ours had already won awards but we could see opportunities to do even better. That has paid off and has brought big gains for our students.

“I believe a very important factor in driving up success rates is the new processes we’ve introduced to help incoming students. We now spend extra time with them to ensure they are enrolled in the right programme for them and have the right support for their individual needs. This greatly improves their chances of success. We also introduced new foundation programmes and increased our emphasis on literacy and numeracy. This has made a huge difference. We’ve seen a significant improvement in student success rates for programmes at all levels.”

Mr McElroy said the big increase in graduates has also been driven by a change in student attitudes. “We are seeing students coming in determined to get a vocational qualification so they can compete for the good jobs out in the marketplace. They know times are tougher and they know there’s heavy competition for jobs. Once we’ve helped them chose the right career path, we see them buckle down and do their best to get there. That’s a winning attitude – shown by all of our students graduating this week.”

The UCOL CEO named three further factors in student success at UCOL: “Accelerating our use of new technology, including video; creating more opportunities for our lecturers to share best practice; and the huge popularity of our Facebook page (5,673 followers) for sharing information and dialogue”.

Mr McElroy acknowledged the contribution of the families, whanau and friends of UCOL students in helping them in their study and thanked the community groups, business and sector groups, retailers and community and industry partners who support UCOL and contribute to the success of our students.

“Tomorrow’s ceremony includes the announcement of the recipients of the 2012 UCOL Council Honours – they allow us to recognise some of those people who have made a particularly outstanding contribution, to UCOL and to the wider community. They are another way to show that we are proud to be a part of New Zealand’s leading Student City and that we welcome the support we receive for our student community.”

In his speech, Mr McElroy also announced the results of the 2011 survey on the Student Experience at UCOL. “I’m pleased to report back that 98 per cent of our students last year gave us an overall A rating – that means 98 per cent rated our services as very satisfactory and very important to them in their study.

“That 98 per cent rating was across our three campuses. You, our students at the Palmerston North campus, gave us all straight As – 100 per cent, for UCOL as a whole, your programme, our role in improving your career prospects and our support in your achievement.”

Mr McElroy said the survey is regarded as an effective tool because the questions are developed in consultation with student so they reflect what students regard as important. “We also commit to taking action in any areas where less than complete satisfaction is expressed.”

He added that his favourite comment from a student about the teachers at UCOL was: “They really care about our futures,” saying it was a good summary of what UCOL is about.

This week’s UCOL graduation ceremonies are being held at the Regent on Broadway. Today’s (Tuesday 14 March) ceremony will acknowledge the recipients of certificate qualifications from the Humanities and Business, Trades and Technology, Health Science, and Education and Delivery and Innovation Faculties.

Diplomas and degrees will be conferred at the Wednesday ceremony.