UC Alumni Ambassadors

Anne studied at UC on a Commonwealth Scholarship graduating in 1990 with an M. Sc. in Resource Management.  She recently retired from her executive role at Vancouver International Airport.  Anne now provides strategic consulting in sustainability, indigenous relations, aviation and tourism and enjoys having more time to travel and volunteer.

While Vancouver has been home for Anne, her partner Larry (and their two children) for the past 30 years she knows Canada well having visited every Province and Territory.

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Aulia Aruan has previously received New Zealand and Indonesian scholarships. He obtained his doctorate in management degree (1996) and economics master degree (1990) from the School of Forestry - Canterbury University, New Zealand. His bachelor of forestry was gained from IPB, Indonesia (1978). He has been engaging with various local, national, regional, and international organizations and universities including non-governmental organizations. Now, he is an associate for several consulting firms in climate change, forestry, and environmental issues. He likes playing chess, travelling, and gardening. His motto is “purpose fuels passion”.

Alex specialised in Japanese studies at UC attaining the degrees BA (1^st Class Hons.), Masters (Distinction), and a PhD. He also received a PhD from Kyoto University in cultural anthropology. The focus of his research was, and remains, the ideals and culture of Japan’s famed samurai warriors. He is currently professor of Japanese history at Kansai University in Osaka, Japan. Alex has lived in Japan for over thirty years to pursue his passion for practising and researching the country’s traditional martial arts.   

Dana Abudayyeh graduated from University of Canterbury with a PhD degree in Civil Engineering. Dana is the recipient of five awards: the NZ Transportation Group Tertiary Study Grant, the Best Student Paper at the Engineering NZ TG conference, the NZMUGs student and young professional award, the Austraffic ITE ANZ- travel grant to present her research in Japan, and recently the ITE-ANZ Award of Excellence for her development of the ITE-ANZ Transport Chapter at University of Canterbury.

Claire was capped at the first graduation of UC in 1963. She taught science, maths, biology and was the HOD Science at Rangi Ruru Girls' School. Also a board member of Rangi Ruru, she chaired their Centennial Celebrations, and concurrently did relief teaching, manufacture outdoor furniture, set up a PR firm and completed a Dip Bus Studies. From 1992 she worked in Development at St Andrew's College, Presbyterian Support, Rangi Ruru and chaired Osteoporosis NZ. mFrom 2011, with John Rolleston, a board member at College House, raised several million to restore earthquake damaged buildings, including the iconic Sir Miles Warren designed Chapel of the Upper Room.

Claire and her husband John moved to 4 Cobden Road, Bluff Hill, Napier to be closer to their Napier and Hamilton families. She looks forward to meeting UC alumni in the Bay. 

Hussain completed a BCom in Management, focusing on Human Resources Management, graduating in 2011. He is a Human Resources Professional with more than 8 years of progressive experience as a strategic HR business partner with demonstrated success in a diversified, complex, fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Tyler came to Christchurch from South Korea as a high school student. He attended UC and graduated with a BCom in Taxation and Accounting (2016). After graduation, he worked at a public accounting practice in Christchurch and Hamilton as an accountant.  Tyler moved back to South Korea in 2020 and started working as an accounting consultant at a public accounting practice in Seoul. Specialised in auditing, SoX, valuation and private accounting.  Tyler says he enjoyed “exploring the Middle Earth" while in NZ, and his hobbies include camping, running and meeting new people.

Bhante completed his PhD in mathematics (History of Indian Mathematics in particular) in 2020 at the University of Canterbury, MPhil in Sanskrit in 2015, and BA (Hons) In Sanskrit in 2009 - both at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Sanskrit at the Department of Classical Languages, University of Peradeniya. He is also an associate of the New Zealand South Asia Centre, UC. Bhante lives in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rev-jambugahapitiye-dhammaloka-aa64a738

alenewilton@hotmail.com

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Jane Watkins graduated from The University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce.  She also holds a Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University.   Jane is a Certified Public Accountant in California, a Chartered Accountant (CAANZ) and a Barrister & Solicitor (New Zealand).

Currently the owner of Tax Time Services Inc. Jane has more than 20 years of public accounting and industry experience working in both New Zealand and the US providing tax and accounting services to both public and private companies and individuals.

Jane and her husband (also a UC Alumni) moved to San Diego in 2001 where they currently live with their two children. 

For any questions about the UC MBA Graduate Association, please email mba@canterbury.ac.nz.

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