Auckland University of Technology
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{{Infobox_University |name = Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |image = Image:Autlogo.png |motto = |mission_statement = To foster excellence,equity and ethics in learning, teaching, research and scholarship, and in doing so serve our regional, national and international communities. |established = 2000 |chancellor= Sir Paul Reeves |vice_chancellor= Derek McCormack |city = Auckland |country = New Zealand |students= 25,750 total (2005) |type = Public |campus= |affiliations= |website= www.aut.ac.nz }}
The Auckland University of Technology (AUT) 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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History
AUT University had its origins in the Technical College system (established nationwide) which provided vocational courses to students. It was founded as Auckland Technical College 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.
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.
General Information
AUT is New Zealand's newest and most contemporary university. The university is recognised both in New Zealand and around the world for its innovative approach to teaching, learning and research. AUT's focus is on providing a pragmatic 'real world' approach, ensuring excellence in learning and teaching and developing outstanding graduates for practice in their chosen fields. Academic staff work closely with students, providing guidance and advice for their study and research. AUT's close links with industry mean that coursework and research is relevant to what is required by employers today.
AUT maintains very high levels of graduate employment in comparison to other New Zealand universities. This can be attributed to AUT's reputation for ensuring graduates are 'work ready' through its relevant coursework and research.
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.
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.
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 Arts, Business, Design, Te Ara Poutama, Science and Engineering and Hospitality and Tourism share this location.
The Faculty of Arts Building is located on the corner of Wakefield Street and Rutland Street.
Akoranga Campus
The Akoranga campus is located on Akoranga Drive on the North Shore. The Faculties of Health, Education and Sport and Recreation share this campus which has attractive park-like grounds. AUT's main sport and recreation centre is located at this campus.
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).
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
- Information Technology
- International Business
- Management
- Marketing
- Taxation
- Travel and 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 Health Care Practice
- Division of Public Health and Psychosocial Studies
- Division of Rehabilitation and Occupation Studies
- Division of Sport and Recreation
Te Ara Poutama
- Maori Studies
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.
Research
Being the newest University, it came last among the universities in the recent Performance Based Research Fund research evaluation exercise. However the recent PBRF evaluation exercise counted research conducted by AUT before it became a university as well as post-2000 work.
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.
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.
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.
AuSM
AuSM (Auckland Student Movement) is the student union at AUT. They own and operate the campus' student bar, Vesbar as well as provide services to the students and organise major events on campus such as the two week long Orientation festival which occurs at the beginning of each academic year. The president of AuSM is Paul Stewart and Vice president is Jan Herman.
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.
SoSE
SoSE (Society of Student Engineers) is a social club at AUT designed specifically for Engineering students.