“It is with great pleasure I announce Professor Cheryl de la Rey will continue in her role as Tumu Whakarae | Vice-Chancellor, after her reappointment for a further three years, from 1 February 2024 until 31 January 2027,” she says.
The UC Council gave their full support to Professor De la Rey continuing in her leadership role at the University and delivering on the Strategic Vision, Tangata Tū Tangata Ora 2020-2030.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank University staff and the community for your support of the Vice-Chancellor during this term and the dedication you show to your roles on a daily basis,” Adams says. “I have enjoyed celebrating our 150th anniversary this year and look forward to what the future will bring for Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | the University of Canterbury.”
Moving to Aotearoa New Zealand from South Africa, Professor De la Rey was welcomed to UC as Vice-Chancellor in February 2019 and quickly established a new strategic plan to carry UC forward to its milestone 150th anniversary, and beyond. Now in its sesquicentennial year, UC has been through extraordinary times, in a world forever altered by local and global events.
Professor De la Rey has confronted exceptional challenges during her first term as Vice-Chancellor. With a new strategic vision, she undertook a review of university structure, including establishing the world’s first Treaty university with the Ngāi Tahu Centre, Kā Waimaero, as the Office of Treaty Partnership. Professor De la Rey ably led the University through tragedy including its response to the Mosque attacks in 2019, and ensuring a full programme of teaching was delivered through years of the global pandemic, amid lockdown, distance learning, and border closures.
Under Professor De la Rey’s leadership, the University has seen record-breaking enrolments. Thanks to a rapid recovery in international student numbers and a strong domestic intake, UC is home to the highest number of students in its 150-year history. After a record-breaking 2022, this year again saw record numbers of enrolments with more than 22,000 students, as well as increases in Māori and Pasifika students.
Unsurprisingly, the halls of residence are also in high demand, with a 20% increase in application numbers compared to last year, and all 10 UC-affiliated halls full at the start of Semester 1 2023.
The university also introduced new degrees, including the highly sought-after Bachelor of Digital Screen (Hons), which already has more than 170 students in its first year. Other new degrees include the Master of Artificial Intelligence, Master of Hōaka Pounamu, and Master of Water Science & Management.
Professor De la Rey’s reappointment affirms UC’s commitment to its values enabling staff and students to create and share knowledge for a better society and encourage lifelong learning and locally relevant research with global impact.