Auckland University of Technology

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This article is about New Zealand's newest university. For New Zealand's largest research-based university, see the University of Auckland.
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
Auckland University of Technology Logo
Established 2000
Type Public
Chancellor Sir Paul Reeves
Vice-Chancellor Derek McCormack
Students 25,750 total (2005)
Location Auckland, New Zealand
Website www.aut.ac.nz

The Auckland University of Technology (AUT University) is New Zealand’s newest university, formed on 1 January 2000 when the Auckland Institute of Technology was granted university status. Its primary campus is on Wellesley Street in central Auckland, close to the University of Auckland. A secondary campus is at Akoranga on the North Shore.

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[edit] History

It was founded as Auckland Technical School in 1895, offering evening classes only. Daytime classes began in 1906. In 1913 it was renamed Seddon Memorial Technical College, and it was renamed again as the Auckland Technical Institute (ATI) in 1960. In 1989 the name changed to Auckland Institute of Technology (AIT), and the current name was adopted when university status was granted in 2000.

[edit] University Population

In 2005 it had 22,111 students (including a significant number of students studying at certificate and diploma level, and other taking partial academic loads) - 14,751 full time equivalent. Approximately 3789 international students attended the university in the year 2004. There were 1,145 academic staff in 2005 (945 full-time equivalent in 2004), and 795 full-time equivalent administrative and support staff in 2004.

[edit] General Information

AUT is New Zealand's newest university. The process through which it was recognised as a university was controversial, as (for instance) AUT had an inadequately sized library at the time, and some students were given access to the University of Auckland's library as a stopgap measure. AUT's library grew rapidly and its size was not a significant factor with respect to the areas in which AUT taught and researched.

Despite troubled beginnings, the university is now well established. It promotes itself as an advocate of innovative approaches to teaching, learning and research. In particular its focus is said to be on providing a pragmatic 'real world' approach, ensuring excellence in learning and teaching and developing outstanding graduates for practice in their chosen fields. In practice this reflects the continuing survival of vocational type courses and an emphasis upon student development towards employment. For this reason links with employers continue to be fostered.

AUT claims that it maintains very high levels of graduate employment in comparison to other New Zealand universities, though the statistical basis for this claim has been disputed.

Since becoming a university, AUT has invested heavily in infrastructure, staffing and programmes. It is half way through its $245 million building programme on both the Wellesley and Akoranga Campuses. Since 2000, new engineering, design, library, and business buildings have been constructed.

[edit] Campuses

AUT has two campuses - Wellesley (City) and Akoranga (North Shore). AUT also maintains its own technology park in Penrose, Auckland City. Plans are also in place for a third campus in Manukau City.

[edit] Wellesley Campus

The Wellesley campus spreads over several sites in the heart of central Auckland. The main campus is situated on Mayoral Drive, Wellesley Street, Symond and St Paul Street. The Faculties of Applied Humanities, Business, Design and Creative Technologies, and Te Ara Poutama, and the Applied Sciences division share this location.

The Applied Humanities and Design and Creative Technologies faculties also share a building on the corner of Wakefield Street and Rutland Street.

[edit] Akoranga Campus

The Akoranga campus is located on Akoranga Drive on the North Shore. The Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences (including the Sport and Recreation division) and School of Education share this campus, which has attractive park-like grounds. AUT's main sport and recreation centre is located at this campus.

[edit] Technology Park

The AUT Technology Park is located in Panmure, Auckland. The AUT Technology Park is used for developing innovative start-up businesses and for postgraduate student research. AUT also has several internationally prominent IT research centres situated at this tech park. These are the Knowledge Engineering and Discovery Research Institute (KEDRI), Institute of Information Technology Research (IITR), Software Engineering Research Lab (SERL) and the Centre for Research on Information Systems Management (CRISM).

[edit] Faculties

AUT is divided into five faculties. These are:

Applied Humanities

  • School of Education Te Kura Matauranga
  • School of Hospitality and Tourism
  • School of Languages
  • School of Social Sciences

Business

Delivers papers and programmes in the following subject areas:

  • Accounting
  • Advertising
  • Business Economics
  • Commercial Law
  • Electronic Business
  • Finance
  • Human Resource Management and Employment Relations
  • Information Technology
  • International Business
  • Maori Development
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Sales
  • Sport and Recreation Management
  • Taxation
  • Tourism

Design and Creative Technologies

  • School of Art and Design
  • School of Computer and Information Sciences
  • School of Communication Studies
  • School of Engineering
  • School of Mathematical Sciences

Health and Environmental Sciences

  • Division of Applied Sciences
  • Division of Health Care Practice
  • Division of Public Health and Psychosocial Studies
  • Division of Rehabilitation and Occupation Studies [1]
  • Division of Sport and Recreation

Te Ara Poutama

  • Māori Studies

[edit] Programmes

AUT offers a wide range of postgraduate and undergraduate degrees, as well as diplomas and certificates. Programmes are offered in the areas/fields of applied sciences, art and design, business, communication studies, computer and information sciences, education, engineering, health care practice, hospitality and tourism, languages, mathematical science, midwifery, nursing, occupational therapy, oral health, paramedic and emergency services, physiotherapy, podiatry, psychology, psychotherapy, public health, rehabilitation and occupational studies, social science, sport and recreation, and Te Ara Poutama (Māori Studies).

AUT summer school offers over 150 papers for study.

[edit] Research

Being the newest University, and therefore with a less mature research culture, it came last among the universities in the 2003 Performance Based Research Fund research evaluation exercise. The 2003 PBRF evaluation exercise had counted research conducted by AUT before it became a university as well as post-2000 work, which reflected a period of transition for the institution. The 2007 PBRF exercise will be a more crucial exercise, since it will assess all the universities on an equal footing, with AUT having been a university throughout the whole of the assessment period (2000-2005).

AUT is investing heavily in research and has established new research centres and institutes to further its research profile. Large numbers of leading local and international researchers and experts have been recruited by the university. Research partnerships and exchanges have also been established with some of the worlds leading universities. AUT's growing research profile and reputation has seen an increase in research programme enrolements and external funding.

AUT presently has 10 key research institutes:

  • Biotechnology Research Institute
  • Centre for Communication Research
  • Earth and Oceanic Sciences Research Institute
  • Engineering Research Institute
  • Institute for Information Technology Research (IITR)
  • Institute of Public Policy
  • National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research (NIPHMHR)
  • New Zealand Tourism Research Institute (NZTRI)
  • Physical Rehabilitation Research Centre
  • The Knowledge Engineering and Discovery Research Institute (KEDRI)

Within these key research institutes exist a large number of research centres and units.

[edit] Pedagogy (Principles and methods of instruction)

AUT differentiates itself from traditional universities in its approach to teaching and learning. A 'student-centred' approach is adopted by the university where students are actively engaged in their learning. High levels of communication occur between students and lecturers. This learning environment allows students to ask lecturers questions, work co-operatively with fellow students and receive feedback. This is achieved by having small interactive classes as opposed to traditional university lecture theatres. In part this is a legacy of the polytechnic origins of the university, and whether it will continue to be a distinguishing feature will depend upon financial and other factors.

[edit] Social Organisations

Since it is a relatively new university, the social scene at AUT is not as developed as other New Zealand Universities. However, in the past few years there have been attempts to rectify this.

[edit] AuSM

Main article: AuSM

AuSM (Auckland Student Movement) is the student union at AUT.

[edit] Keepin' It Real Club

At present one of the more active social clubs at AUT is the Keepin' It Real Club. This club organises pub crawls and parties often in conjunction with AuSM. The club is run by Carl Ewen and Vinay Gobindlal.

[edit] Army Of Tomorrow

The Army Of Tomorrow is an active group made up primarily of student teachers, who socialise and organise parties and sports events. Founded by AUT's Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education July 2005 intake, the organisation is also dedicated to ongoing self-reflection in teaching and learning issues.

[edit] SoSE

The Society of Student Engineers (SoSE) is a student-lead organisation that assists engineering students to develop networks, and to extend themselves both professionally and personally. This is achieved by organising regular events such as engineering competitions, guest lectures by industry professionals, industry tours, and popular social events.

[edit] Vesbar

The Wellesley St campus has a student bar named Vesbar. [2]

[edit] External links

Universities in New Zealand

Auckland University of Technology | Lincoln University | Massey University | University of Auckland | University of Canterbury | University of Otago | University of Waikato | Victoria University of Wellington

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