Welcome from Head and Associate Head of School
Catherine Snell-Siddle and Sarah Snell
Welcome to the School of Business and Computing. Within the school, we have a wide variety of applied programmes ranging from Certificate level to Degree. For many of these programmes you can choose to study in a variety of learning modes including on campus, distance/online or a mixture of all three.
We have strong links with both the Business and ICT industries and stakeholders within these groups contribute to the ongoing success of all of our programmes.
Research and Industry ProjectsMany staff are involved in research and industry related projects including Mobile Learning and Technologies, Learning Environments, Geographical Information Systems, Cooperative Education and ICT Project Management Simulation.
Message to Graduates
We are always keen to hear what our graduates are up to. Current students are interested to know about the job opportunities that are available to them once they graduate.
It would be great to know where you are and what you are doing now that you have left UCOL. Please send a short profile with your contact details to the Administration Co-ordinator below:
Vanessa Kooyman
Administration Co-ordinator
School of Business and Computing
138 Queen St
Palmerston North
Phone 06 9527001 ext 70982
Email v.kooyman@ucol.ac.nz
For information on current degree papers see the UCOL course page:
http://www.ucol.ac.nz/CustomPages/Programme.aspx?subject=ICT&pid=13
Keep in touch with fellow Graduates
Bachelor ICT 2008 GraduatesTimothy Donaldson
Nuno Duarte Dos Remedios Yeong
Damon Feetham
David Kempster
Arun Meiyappan
Andrew Plummer
Joseph Redward
James Telford
Thomas Vorster
Kan Zhang
2008 Industry Awards
The following students received Industry Awards at Graduation:
- Gen-I New Zealand Award for Academic Excellence - Thomas Vorster
- Fujitsu Award for Best Technology Student - James Telford
- Toyota New Zealand Limited Award for Best Industry Project - Joseph Redward
- Microsoft Award for Best Software Development Student - David Kempster
Student Profiles
Jamie Telford
Jamie Telford now has the knowledge and practical experience of IT networks he was looking for when he enrolled at UCOL.
Jamie knew he wanted to study IT but university study seemed heavily weighted towards theory. UCOL's three year Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology is well respected for its applied nature - for every two hour lecture there is a two hour practical to follow.
Jamie says this was ideal. He's always been interested in computer networks and now has all the practical bass covered for almost any role in ICT, as well as a major industry network project to his name.
In their final year, BICT students work on an industry-based project. Palmerston North City Council's Network Administrator, Kelly Lawton gave Jamie the job of investigating the best maintenance monitoring system for the equipment on the Council's 400-computer network.
Jamie was able to apply his research training to find the best technologies for the job. The end result was a test run of a network-wide monitoring system that predicts requirements for future usage and identifies and resolves issues on the network.
Kelly says Jamie's project was of enormous value and may be used in the future. He says judging from Jamie's project work, he should have an exceptional career ahead of him.
Gareth Griffiths
“THE DATA ANALYSIS, SOFTWARE AND APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT I DO HERE AT TOYOTA IS EXACTLY WHAT I DID AT UCOL."
From working in the Airline Industry, Gareth Griffiths is really flying now with his new degree.
As an aircraft loader in Palmerston North, and later in Sydney employed in load control for Ansett, Gareth found himself enjoying the opportunity to work with computers. A few years earlier, he had enrolled on one of UCOL’s introductory computing courses.
During his degree studies, he wrote software for other students and courses to use, and was one of only two students in New Zealand to receive a national award for excellence. Gareth attributes his success to determination and the excellent input of his instructors and tutors.
“They’re very positive, helpful and encouraging, with lots of useful knowledge.”
Jenni O’Brien
RIGHT PERSON, RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME AND WITH THE RIGHT QUALIFICATION, JENNI O'BRIEN'S THIRD YEAR INDUSTRY PROJECT AT LTSA LANDED HER A FULL TIME POSITION AS A TECHNICAL SPECIALIST.
Her training and aptitude recommended themselves. Jenni's industry project included analysing LSTA’s current backup solution and provide recommendations to improve the current system. The former registered nurse says she has a great deal to thank UCOL for. While working as acute trauma nurse in a German hospital, UCOL enabled her to update her RN Diploma to BN Degree level extramurally.
On the decision to study ICT, Jenni says "I found it a rewarding experience a hands-on environment, which enabled a firm grounding in the IT Business today".
