Latest alumni news
22 September 2023
Invited to speak at Cambridge University, UC’s Tumu Whakarae | Vice-Chancellor highlighted the historic ties between the universities in front of an audience that included Ernest Rutherford’s great-granddaughter.
21 September 2023
Award winning 'technical storyteller' Karen Wrigglesworth graduated from UC with a Bachelor of Engineering in 1994, now she combines her engineering expertise and geographic and heritage knowledge to share stories of regional New Zealand.
24 August 2023
After completing her undergraduate and master's at the University of Tehran, Zahra and her family emigrated to Aotearoa to embark on a new adventure. Once successfully completing her PhD, Zahra is now working to support ethnic communities in her role with the Ministry of Education.
24 August 2023
Beginning her filmmaking career here at the Ilam School of Fine Art, Zoe McIntosh is now an award-winning director of commercial, documentary and dramatic works. Her latest feature film, Stylebender, had its global premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023, where it was nominated for Best Documentary and Best New Director.
19 July 2023
The University of Canterbury’s socio-cultural contribution to our vibrant city is evident in the depth and breadth of talent and expertise involved in WORD 2023.
17 July 2023
Carl Davidson is one of New Zealand's best-known social scientists, with over 30 years of experience in the insights industry. His busy schedule includes being the founding partner of Research First, Senior Adjunct Fellow here at the University of Canterbury, and author of 10 books and has recently been selected as a 2023 Insight250 winner, acknowledging him as a leader in market research, data-driven marketing and insights.
13 July 2023
Tuaopepe Abba Fidow is the Deputy Secretary, Service Delivery at the Ministry for Pacific Peoples. "I’ve been extremely blessed to have worked with and for passionate, intelligent and generous people, committed towards a single goal of improving the lives of New Zealanders" says Abba when reflecting on his career in the public service.
10 July 2023
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) introduces Young Alumni Awards as part of its 150th Anniversary.
23 June 2023
Sonia Yee has worked in broadcast media for over a decade, specialising in podcasting, radio documentaries and long-form features. A passionate and creative storyteller, Sonia runs production company Double Ten Media, and has recently launched her new platform, Close to the Mic, a place that gives voice to the podcasting industry.
16 May 2023
Jeff Bell is a political cartoonist and illustrator, currently working with the prominent New Zealand media organisation, Stuff. He was named Cartoonist of the Year in 2022 at the Voyager Media Awards and has recently illustrated two children's books, The Sad Banana and The Lonely Lemon. Jeff spoke to us about how he got started in this career and what is perhaps on the cards next.
11 May 2023
A graduate of the Ilam School of Fine Arts, Cam McCracken and is putting his exte the Director of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum and the Dunedin Chinese Garden.
28 April 2023
John McCall MacBain’s donation of $1,025,000 to the University of Canterbury includes $825,000 from the McCall MacBain Foundation and $200,000 from his affiliate business, UniLodge.
18 April 2023
Cleve Cameron is the founder and managing director of Big Street Bikers, an organisation all about establishing and operating a new electric infrastructure and leading a culture of electric biking.
12 April 2023
Rachel Evans (Ngāti Tama) had planned a career in law, working as a clerk, solicitor, legal advisor before returning to UC to lecture. At the start of 2023, Rachael was awarded an $80,000 scholarship for PhD research investigating how iwi can exercise rangatiratanga (sovereignty or autonomy) through the development of fiscal authority. We spoke to her about her research, teaching and highlight from her UC experience.
12 April 2023
Tim Hume is a London-based reporter for VICE World News covering extremism, migration, and politics in Europe. He is also the host of Decade of Hate, a VICE series of short documentaries covering the far-right in Europe.
31 March 2023
Belief in the importance of effective teaching and a desire to enrich the learning experience compelled Associate Professor Adrian Clark to gain his latest tertiary qualification.
27 March 2023
The University of Canterbury is bestowing an honorary Doctor of Commerce on illustrious graduate, international businessman and philanthropist Mark Stewart.
27 March 2023
One of Samoa’s top judges will receive an honorary degree from a New Zealand university in recognition for his work as a trailblazer for judicial reform and an international advocate for the rights of children and young people.
27 March 2023
One of the country’s leading Māori history scholars will be awarded an honorary degree in recognition for his work revitalising te reo Māori as a researcher, translator, writer and editor.
27 March 2023
Student, lecturer and international student supporter, Mengping Cheng graduates with a Doctor of Education from the University of Canterbury (UC) in April.
27 March 2023
After several years as an oral health therapist in Ashburton, Joanne Lee, who graduates from UC this week with a Master’s in Health Science, was inspired to complete her postgraduate studies after noticing inequalities in access to dental care.
09 March 2023
John Chrisstoffels is a senior lecturer at the University of Canterbury and a critically acclaimed filmmaker and musician of over 35 years. A respected member of the New Zealand film-making community, John regularly assists and mentors young filmmakers around the country, lending his support to film organisations and events. His latest film, Building Bridges: Bill Youren's Vision of Peace, chronicles the life and times of Hawkes Bay farmer and peace activist Bill Youren during the post-war years
08 March 2023
A love of travel and adventure has taken Ghislaine Lewis around the world. Originally from the Caribbean, Ghislaine has studied in Virginia, Florida, New Zealand, and Australia. She is now an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia with research interests in new media, global politics, and policy. We caught up with Ghislaine almost 10 years after living and completing her PhD here at UC.
06 March 2023
Hamish Laird grew up working with electrical circuits and electronics so it's no wonder that he went on to study engineering and start his own company, ELMG Digital Power. Hamish is also an Adjunct Senior Fellow here at the University of Canterbury, supervising the next generation of electrical engineers.
30 January 2023
Leaders need to be responsive and agile in uncertain times and a unique, new scholarship is offering three outstanding Canterbury businesspeople the opportunity to upskill and learn from influential mentors in their fields.