Ten years ago in 2008, the doors to the new UCOL Whanganui Campus opened.
It’s time to celebrate the inspiring blend of heritage buildings, modern facilities and range of tertiary study programmes that attracts highly motivated students and staff to UCOL from many parts of the world.
While staff had been working on campus since earlier that year, the Prime Minister of the time Hon. Helen Clark officiated over the formal opening on the 18th of April. Whanganui iwi, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, gave the campus the name 'Matapihi ki te Ao', which means 'window of opportunity' to the world.
“Ten years, ten months, ten events, felt like a fitting way to highlight the role of UCOL in the community” says Bronwyn Paul,
Whanganui Campus Manager “These celebration events we are planning are about acknowledging our community, our collaborative groups, our schools, stakeholders, industry partners, multi-cultural groups, but most importantly… Our students, tutors, staff and alumni who make a difference every day, wherever they work in the world. It celebrates UCOL!”
Events kicked off in February and 2018 will end with a big event in December, which at the moment is strictly under wraps but promises to capture the imagination. In the meantime the community can look forward to Lanterns on the Awa, Friday 6th March in conjunction with the NZ Chinese Friendship Inc., a commemoration of the story of the mountain boulders which moved with the campus to Rutland street, the opportunity for students to win a car, amongst others.
The ethos of forming the campus was around offering students a modern and purpose built facility where they could not only study but effortlessly pathway through to higher level programmes. Since the campus on the Quay opened its doors more than two and a half thousand graduates have been conferred
“We are proud of our history and excited about the future” says Bronwyn “We welcome you to take the opportunities and events offered this year to experience UCOL for yourself”.
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