UCOL - Universal College of Learning

UCOL’s Office for Maori and Pasefika Development

Eke panuku, Eke Tangaroa!

All of us striving for excellence

Ki te iti me te rahi, tena koutou katoa. Ko te korero whakarapopo nei he korero hei whakamohio atu i a koe I nga ahuatanga Maori o te kura matatini nei, ko Te Pae Matauranga Ki Te Ao me ki.

Our kaupapa is to produce quality Maori and Pasefika graduates who are qualified academically and vocationally, and who are culturally competent to contribute to the development of our iwi, hapu, marae, and communities and the nation as a whole.

UCOL attracts a large portion of Maori students that study on a wide range of programs from basic computing skills, a diploma or degree in business, becoming a trained nurse, to studies in photography or becoming a carpenter or a chef.

All three campuses have Kaiawhina support staff and a Pasefika support staff member (PN campus), available to directly assist students with any issues and challenges

UCOL offers both applied academic and vocational programs in the main iwi rohe:

·         Manawatu

·         Whanganui

·         Wairarapa

Our primary goal is to improve the successful completion rates of students by the provision of a more holistic, cultural based and focused support program as part of Rourou Aronui, the UCOL Maori Education Strategy. A key aspect of this strategy is the close collaboration with other student support services across UCOL, with iwi and Maori community.

Rourou Aronui - UCOL Maori Education Strategy

Rourou aronui is our rautaki for the next 3-5 years. It sets direction that our waka will take ,outlining specific strategies and actions we are committed to, and will undertake in order  to improve  Maori student successful completion rates. In the next three period the goal is to achieve at least  parity in completions with other UCOL student groups.

We currently offer two main support and development programs for tauira:

Raukura: a focused support program for tauira studying on Level 1-3 programs

Kaiawhina: support for tauira studying on Level 4-7 programs

• Another key goal is to assist iwi and Maori groups in their education aspirations which is predicated on good relationships. In some cases-such as Whanganui iwi and Rangitane(TMI), that relationship has been formalised. UCOL enjoys good support from iwi groups.

Campus Facilities

Facilities: all UCOL campuses have a space to tautoko Maori students and assist in promoting kaupapa Maori as a foundation for success

• Palmerston North campus has a whanau room (Te Hiringa I Te Mahara)
• Whanganui UCOL campus has a whanau room
• Wairarapa UCOL has Whakaoreore marae on campus where both Ngati Kahungunu and Rangitane O Wairarapa as well as UCOL are kaitiaki.

Services Available On All Campuses

• Academic support workshops(in association with the Library and Faye Garnham Centre)
• Group learning sessions
• Cultural workshops
• Guest presenters/seminars
• Kapa haka/waiata practises
• Te Reo Maori language learning

Iwi Cultural Advisory and Support

• We are fortunate to have Kaumatua from Rangitane, Whanganui and other iwi, who we regularly consulted for advice and support to progress our work here at UCOL
• Te Komiti Maori-UCOL Maori Staff Forum
• Te Komiti Maori, is a forum of Maori staff who advise the Director Maori, and the  institution on matters to do with Maori education and Maori students and staff.

Pasefika Advisory Group

• UCOL also have an advisory group established from the local Pasefika community to support our work for Pasefika students here at UCOL.

Click Here to download Rourou Aronui the Maori Education Strategy