Today at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC), the annual Hui Whakamānawa | Celebrating Staff Success event was held. Joined by whānau, friends and colleagues, it was a morning of reflecting on UC people’s successes in 2025.
Tumu Whakarae | Vice-Chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey opened the event, thanking the awardees for their dedication and excellence that has contributed to the UC community.
“This level of success for our University is only possible because of your contributions. It takes a diversity of talents to make us successful and today is my opportunity, as the Vice-Chancellor of the University, to express my appreciation and the gratitude of the University community for your contributions.”
The event celebrated excellence in teaching and education, acknowledging the teachers and lecturers who continue to improve the outcomes of UC students. They embody UC’s commitment to accessible, flexible and future-focused education that supports students to thrive at university and beyond.
UC’s eleven new Professors were celebrated; this appointment recognises their excellence in teaching, groundbreaking research, and impactful community engagement. You can read more about them here>
Ngā Uara | Values Awards were given to UC staff who embody UC's core values and make an impact on the University community. Their contributions highlight the depth of talent and commitment within UC. Awards were also given to staff who exemplify UC’s commitment to health and safety, wellbeing, development and sustainability.
Read about the 2025 award winners here:
Eleven new professors appointed at UC
Associate Professor Debbie Munro - Donation helps UC students boost healthcare in Tonga
Dr Kate Pedley - University rocks geology education with new garden
Senior Lecturer Jen Smith - UC team honoured for enabling culturally-responsive teaching
Professor Brendon Bradley - UC research wins big in 2025 Marsden funding
Professor Aaron Marshall - UC professor wins medal for sustainable tech
Professor Neil Boister, Professor Elissa Cameron, Professor Renwick Dobson, Professor Katie Pickles and Professor Michael Plank - Influential UC researchers elected as Royal Society Fellows
Professor Thomas Bennett and Dr Matthew Cowan - UC researchers help create new class of award-winning glass
Dr Liam Turk, Dr Taylor Winter and Dr Helena Cook - UC researchers named among nation’s rising leaders
Senior Lecturer Dr Lin Mussell - UC researcher wins award for forging new directions in justice policy
The Curious Minds Team – Thomas Hamilton, Kiri Howell, Ashalyna Noa, Mel Tainui, Garrick Thorn, Shallu Verma, Sarah Wiki-Bennett, Siale Faitotonu, Christina Howat and Meghan Marshall - Connecting classroom learning to real-world problem solving
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