Photo caption: UC Vice-Chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey with UC alum David Law
Held in the Carlyle Gardens, attendees included Tumu Whakarae | Vice-Chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey, UC alum David Law as well as University of Canterbury NZ Trust (UK) Chair Alene Wilton and board members Jeremy Willis and James Croll. UC alum Tim Hume also delivered a speech.
Hume graduated from UC in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in English and a graduate diploma in Journalism. Only a year after graduating, he was acknowledged as one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading young journalists. Hume is now senior reporter and host for Decade of Hate, a series for VICE covering world news with a particular focus on extremism, politics and migration.
Professor De la Rey shared exciting updates on UC’s impressive growth, highlighting last year’s 150th anniversary as a springboard for continued success. The University reached a record high of over 24,000 students in 2023, with a notable 6% increase in domestic enrolments across various disciplines, including Engineering, Commerce, and Arts.
Professor De la Rey emphasised the continued pride in UC’s alumni, whose global achievements bolster the University’s reputation and impact.
Highlighting UC’s commitment to fostering potential, she spoke about the Te Kakau a Māui scholarship. This initiative celebrated our 150th anniversary and saw over 300 students over two years selected based on their leadership potential and commitment to creating positive change in the world. They were available to students from decile 1-7 Te Waipounamu South Island schools and provide a full programme of support throughout their undergraduate degree from mentoring to success and careers coaching. This initiative has demonstrated remarkable academic success and social impact.
Professor De la Rey’s reflections at this very special international event underscored the University’s enduring mission to empower talented individuals, a vision as relevant today as it was 151 years ago.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 - Quality education.
