From the V.C.

The Vice-Chancellor reflects on two major university events which highlight the need for unity and understanding between people

As I write this column the University is experiencing a memorable week.

One major event has been the ASTE members’ strike over their pay claim. Strikes are rare at AUT and I know that both parties to the negotiations spent a long time trying to reach a common position within difficult circumstances before ASTE felt it needed to take this step.

It wasn’t surprising that I received numerous emails from students on the day of the strike. Students were the ones affected by the action. But rather than messages of complaint they were all messages of support for their lecturers.

It was a great tribute to the work and dedication of AUT staff that students were so ready to push for a fair deal for them. Many of the emails spoke from the heart of the respect and admiration that the students had for the lecturers’ expertise and commitment to learning and success.

The University is working to ensure we continue to recognise the lecturers’ crucial contribution with good conditions and fair and competitive salaries – feedback from our students confirms just how important it is for the university management, with ASTE, to achieve this.

Another hugely significant event this week has been the AUT Maori Expo. This year the expo has had much greater support from sponsors and a much stronger AUT profile. Its importance, however, is not so much for the PR and recruitment potential – although that is a great boost. The greatest significance of the expo is that it raises awareness of the fundamental role of Maori in the history and identity of New Zealand, and the importance of Maori success educationally, culturally and economically to the future of our country as a vibrant nation in the global arena.

Expo highlights Maori achievement, success stories and role models, at the same time pointing the way to opportunities in education and elsewhere for young Maori. It is a great privilege for this university to be able to facilitate such an event and have our name so closely associated with it.

Both of these events speak to me of the importance of understanding between people – in our university and in our nation. They both highlight the need to be willing to come together with a spirit of openness, ready to listen and explain, ready to work hard with respect and commitment for mutual benefits and inclusive futures.

Sometimes this is difficult but at AUT it has always been part of what we are.

Best wishes

Derek McCormack