Unitec’s most senior academics met last week to bring their collective leadership skills and experience to the current drive to increase group-based research at our division.
The kaupapa supports the strategic focus for the institute, made critical at a time of profound change in the science system in Aotearoa, as well as across the VET sector.
The Unitec Professoriate is made of 28 kaiako representing most schools, Te Puna Ako, Tūapapa Rangahau, the Executive Leadership Team and Ngā Wai a Te Tui.
The hui was also an opportunity to welcome its newest member, Associate Professor, Lefaoali’i Dion Enari, the first Pacific academic in the Unitec Professoriate.
“The professoriate are a truly diverse bunch and in diversity is strength,” says Associate Professor Marcus Williams, Director Research and Enterprise. “At the hui, they came up with excellent strategies for increasing the agency of our Research Groups.
Assoc Prof Williams says that there are numerous reasons to work in groups in research.
“It creates clear visibility of the relevance of our research to the programmes that we offer; makes for more current and connected kaimahi within their teaching practice; provides greater visibility of our research expertise to Unitec’s community and industry stakeholders (Research Groups will soon have landing pages on the Unitec website); facilitates the mentoring of new and emerging researchers; and helps to make the resources we have to support researchers go a little further by pooling them.”
The hui was a positive step towards their objective. It was really encouraging to have such excellent attendance, positivity for the kaupapa and engagement from this group of academic leaders.
is any of the senior lecturers from trades and services part of this group? i think their VET experience would be valuable considering the diverse and dynamic nature of trades. it would be a shame not to have a voice in this space