AUT launches new Philippine Studies Hub
The AUT Philippine Studies Hub, formally established on June 10 in partnership with the Philippine Embassy, is the first of its kind in New Zealand.
The Hub is designed as a national centre for research, training, and engagement, dedicated to the Philippines and New Zealand’s rapidly growing Filipino community.
The creation of the Hub follows sustained calls from Filipino scholars in New Zealand for greater recognition and visibility within the academic space.
Dr Sarah Lipura, lead convenor of the Philippine Studies Network Aotearoa and co-lead of the Hub, says Filipino academics have long sought a dedicated platform to share their research, foster collaboration, and engage more meaningfully with students.
“We are here, but there’s no avenue for us to talk about the things that we’re doing,” she says. “There’s also no mechanism to support Filipino students. So, we came together and said, ‘Why don’t we establish a network?’"
AUT’s Dr Eunice Faustino Gaerlan, also a member of the Philippine Studies Network Aotearoa, and co-lead of the Hub says the hub is also about supporting Philippine scholars and those interested in studying Philippines-related research.
“For AUT’s Filipino students and staff, it will serve as a space where our contributions and cultural knowledge are valued.”
“The hub will offer pathways into further research, including postgraduate and postdoctoral work, and further ensuring such research has even greater impact.”
Vice-Chancellor Professor Damon Salesa described AUT’s decision to host the hub as logical, aligning with its strategic direction and existing capabilities.
AUT is already home to significant Filipino student enrolment, and its strong profile in health sciences complements a sector in which Filipinos are prominent in New Zealand.
“This represents a moment where we’re really turning towards the Philippines, and it’s a really positive step to ensure that we’re doing that in a true spirit of partnership and supporting both local scholarship and the Philippines,” Professor Salesa says.
“AUT is New Zealand’s largest health science university, and it’s leading in providing New Zealand with health professionals. This is an area that the Philippines is renowned for, so there’s an obvious alignment.”
As part of its ongoing commitment to equitable futures for all communities, AUT is also sponsoring this year’s Ministry for Ethnic Communities annual conference.
The Ethnic Advantage 2025: United against Headwinds conference brings together 300 leaders from Auckland’s ethnic communities on Saturday 28 June at the Aotea Centre.