UCOL BLOG

Whanganui School of Design graduate Johnson Witehira is one of three student artists chosen to promote New Zealand in Times Square with digital art.

Johnson is one of three winners of the Chorus NZ national competition for tertiary student artists. He studied Computer Graphic Design at the Whanganui school and is now completing a PhD in carving at Massey University.

Inspired by New Zealand, the winning works will be the centre piece of a digital exhibition showcasing the talents of New Zealand art students to the world on one of the biggest and most recognisable digital stages – Times Square New York. Read More: “UCOL Design graduate to show in Times Square”…

Palmerston North UCOL will once again throw open its doors for its annual Open Day on Wednesday 3 August.

UCOL’s ‘biggest open day of the year’ is well known for its lively atmosphere and the variety of interactive displays and demonstrations representing more than 110 programmes on offer.

Visitors to the Open Day have the chance to speak with current students and find out what it’s like being part of the UCOL learning experience. In a new approach to Open Days students will be on hand to take visitors on tours to their specialist areas.

UCOL’s Marketing and Liaison Manager Nicola Bridges says this year’s Open Day places emphasis on activities specific to each programme. “It’s all about taking part in activities directly related to areas of study at UCOL.” For example, the newly launched National Certificate in Goods Service will promote its forklift and heavy duty truck driver training programme with a truck on site.

“Visitors will be able to get a real sense of what UCOL has to offer them.”

The huge range of activities includes the Exercise and Sport programme’s ‘Row Off’ competition, Mixed Martial Arts demonstration and abseiling.

A blood pressure check at the Nursing stand might be interesting after having a go at Motorsport’s tyre changing challenge. Photography students will operate a photo booth and there will also be soothing massages and nail treatments courtesy of the beauty programme.

Performing Arts and Contemporary Music students will provide entertainment on the central stage in the heart of the Atrium.

Visitors can expect free food and giveaways as they explore the diverse range of study opportunities and get amongst the stimulating environment and high tech facilities that UCOL offers its students.

There will be regular tours of the campus facilities throughout the day.

Free buses will be running between Massey University and the UCOL bus stop on Princess Street from 10.00am.

The Open Day is on Wednesday 3 August, from 9.00am – 2.00pm at the UCOL campus, corner of Princess and King Streets.

The International Year of Chemistry is being marked at UCOL this coming week, as it hosts the National Chemical Education Conference.

ChemEd 2011 Celebrating the International Year of Chemistry, brings together chemistry educators and researchers from across sectors to learn from each other and celebrate the wonders of chemistry.

On the ChemEd conference web site, Conference convenor Craig Steed describes Palmerston North as “a hub of scientific endeavor and research. Alongside important tertiary institutes such as Massey University and UCOL, Palmerston North is home to a wide variety of research institutes and scientific companies, providing a perfect atmosphere of discovery and enterprise. The venue for the conference will be the modern and architecturally inspiring Universal College of Learning (UCOL) located in the heart of the city centre.”

Read More: “National Chemistry conference at UCOL”…

Two new members with strong backgrounds in the tertiary education sector have been appointed to the UCOL Council.

They are Dr Sue Walbran and Dr Tom Prebble. Both are UCOL appointees, replacing Duncan Milne and Malcolm Pettman whose terms expired on 30 April.

Read More: “New members for UCOL Council”…

UCOL’s Atrium will be abuzz on Friday as it hosts the Kia Māia Careers Expo. Kia Māia is an Expo with a difference as it presents Maori training opportunities to the Maori community and whanau.

The careers day brings UCOL, Massey University, START Youth Transition Services, Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa and Te Wānanga-o-Aotearoa together in a unique collaborative event.

UCOL’s Liaison Officer Gloria Evans understands the Expo is the only careers event of its kind in the country where the emphasis is on programme topics.

“The layout is divided into programme topics such as business, science and health, rather than having displays for each institution,” she says. “The visitors can then go to an area of study they are interested in, and directly compare each provider’s programmes.”

Kia Māia runs at UCOL’s Princess Street campus from 10.00am to 2.00pm and features interactive displays and activities from all four tertiary institutions.

The organisers are expecting a large turnout from the Palmerston North, Tararua and Horowhenua regions. Busloads of school and mature students, and their supporters will arrive from out of town.

In its second year, Kia Māia is expected to far exceed last year’s attendance of 450 visitors.

Kapa Haka groups representing Monrad Intermediate, and Hato Paora College will perform on stage between 12.00pm and 1.00pm.

Where: UCOL Atrium, Princess Street entrance.

When: Friday 17 June from 10.00am – 2.00pm.

UCOL Performing Arts Lecturer Jaime Dorner has a hunger for all things theatre and freely admits he can’t stop himself.

Jaime not only teaches the Certificate in Performing Arts programme at UCOL, he has his own theatre company and has just been appointed as the next Resident Artist under Palmerston North’s Visiting Artist Scheme.

“I need to continually create and explore theatre,” he says. “I have to keep my career as an artist alive.”

The Visiting Artist Scheme is a collaborative venture between the School of English & Media Studies at Massey University, in conjunction with Palmerston North City Council and Community Arts Palmerston North.

Three residencies of three months each are offered each year in Creative Writing, Film or Digital Arts and Theatre. The position includes accommodation at a central city apartment in the Square Edge building.

Jaime’s Visiting Artist appointment begins in November and fits perfectly into the hiatus of the UCOL academic year.

“The scheme is great for me and my employer,” says Jaime. “UCOL encourages its staff to keep in touch with our industries. This is the best kind of professional development.”
Read More: “Creative appetite”…