Nohely Loayza
Master of Supply Chain Management student
Her desire to learn how to make processes more efficient led her to AUT’s Master of Supply Chain Management, says Nohely Loayza who came to AUT as an international student from Ecuador.
“In a globalised environment where resources are increasingly limited, it’s essential to understand and apply methodologies that enable companies to meet customer needs while ensuring supply chains are efficient, sustainable and enduring over time. It’s also important to stay up to date with current technological advancements and incorporate them into professional practice to overcome the challenges involved in delivering a product or service from its origin to the end customer, while minimising resource waste.”
Being awarded a Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship by the New Zealand government to help her improve her understanding of supply chain management was a dream come true.
“Being selected for this scholarship among thousands of applicants from around the world made me believe in my potential as a change-maker. I feel fortunate to have found an extraordinary community in the Manaaki family at AUT and to have the honour of representing my country in this part of the world.
“As a Manaaki New Zealand scholarship recipient, I’ve been warmly welcomed by the advisors at the Scholarship Office – George Kimani and Petrina Hibden – who have supported me since the beginning of this journey. They’ve also organised various activities to explore tourist destinations in New Zealand, making me feel truly part of the Manaaki family. Once I graduate, I want to return to Ecuador to share and apply the knowledge from my time at AUT, aiming to implement what I’ve learnt about supply chain management with a focus on sustainability.”
The right university environment
Nohely says she is thoroughly enjoying her studies at AUT.
“AUT offers an exceptional opportunity to build a sense of community while pursuing your studies. Within the classroom, guest speakers – professionals who stand out in their industry – are often invited to share their experiences with students. Through initiatives like the Beyond AUT Award, students are also encouraged to engage with society through volunteer work and to develop leadership within the student community. I was also selected as a fully funded delegate for the Global Peace Summit Sydney 2025, which enabled me to connect with young leaders and exchange ideas, knowledge and experiences that help us understand social issues from different cultural perspectives.
“I value the experiences related to cultural diversity promoted at AUT, which emphasise respect for freedom of thought and the importance of understanding and interacting with different cultures in an increasingly globalised world. I’ve appreciated the efforts to promote Māori culture by incorporating the language, prayers and art into learning spaces. All of this makes AUT an ideal place not only for professional development but also for personal growth. As an international student, having access to a medical centre that provides excellent services in a safe space where the care is kind and timely has also been incredibly valuable.”
As part of her Master of Supply Chain Management she is researching best-in-class inventory management at SKY Network Television, supervised by Dr Kasuni Weerasinghe from the AUT Business School.
“The project is theoretically based on the Lean methodology, aiming to reduce costs while avoiding inventory shortages or surpluses, ensuring that customer needs are met on time. This project seeks to connect the application of traditional methodologies with the use of current technological tools to make inventory management more efficient. For us as students, it’s very important to stay up to date on the integration of new technologies like AI into processes. This is especially relevant now, as we’re experiencing technological transformation at a faster pace than ever before.”
Advice for other students
Nohely, who will graduate from AUT later this year, has some great advice for other students.
“My recommendation is to take advantage of the resources AUT offers to maintain a balance between social life and academic studies. For example, there are various clubs and facilities for sports, dancing, painting or board games, and student groups focused on environmental and social impact. These are great opportunities to make new friends and connect with students from different disciplines.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed participating in student groups like Manaaki Sustainability, which organises weekly visits to the AUT South Campus gardens. It has been a wonderful experience to grow and harvest fruits and vegetables while spending quality time with friends and networking. I’ve also helped plant native plants at the AUT North Campus, which made me feel very fulfilled as it was a way to give back to AUT for the warm welcome I received at this university. I’ve also participated in artistic activities like the salsa and painting clubs.”
Make the most of the free tools for AUT students too, she adds.
“I also recommend making use of student access to platforms like LinkedIn Learning, where we can access valuable information and training for free.”
