UC management students mobilise to help Christchurch
18 October 2011
UC management students are using their knowledge to help Christchurch residents. Over the last few months more than 100 students studying the commerce paper MGMT 208: Principles of Leadership, have organised community projects around Christchurch.
University of Canterbury management students are using their knowledge to help Christchurch residents.
Over the last few months more than 100 students studying the commerce paper MGMT 208: Principles of Leadership, have organised community projects around Christchurch. These projects, which range from gardening to family fun days, are part of the paper’s in-service leadership project. The assignment involves more than 20 student groups organising their own community projects.
Course tutor Lane Perry said the service assignment was a new addition to the paper and was developed so students could put their studies into practice.
“They picked their own teams with four to five students in it and were given access to a few different community organisations that needed work done in the community, most of which were earthquake and relief related. Those students looked at all the projects that were out there and then came up with their own ideas on how to help deal with some of those problems in the community.”
The community projects ranged from clean-ups to blood drives. One group decided to reproduce some of Christchurch’s famous monuments.
Group member Elliot Faulkner said the aim of his team’s project was to recreate the famous Cathedral Square chess set, which was available for public use prior to the 22 February earthquake.
“We approached Gap Filler for help. The size of our project meant that we required a large grant from Rechurch. We requested a particularly large sum and Lane was very helpful in securing us a decent amount of money to work with.”
Another group decided to cheer up eastern suburb residents by holding a family fun day.
“We had bouncy castles, a sausage sizzle (with donations from Hellers and Couplands), a raffle, face painting by arts students, a talent show, a colouring-in competition and some spot prizes and games,” said group member Simon Wardle.
“Our primary aim was to provide an opportunity for people in the community to relax and have some fun for free, as well as to add a pleasant event to the year. From the looks of happiness on the faces of the people who attended the event I think we achieved our aim. We had children who had just met each other laughing and playing and parents relaxing. It was great.”
Other groups decided to make their impact overseas. One group, for example, donated sports equipment to a high school in Tonga.
“We took on a goal of trying to provide Tonga High School with books, stationary and sporting equipment,” said group member Melissa Seymour.
“We managed to get many people in the community to donate and in the end we got a great deal of stuff to send over to the school. This assignment was really rewarding and it was a great experience. It helped with leadership, personal interactions and many other qualities. I really enjoyed this project. I feel proud to have helped make this event happen as well as privileged to have been given the opportunity to do so. Opportunities like this don't happen all the time, but it would benefit everyone if they did.”
Mr Perry said community engagement should be the focus of universities and should be pursued because it values both the student and the community.
“We’re the ones who see the problems and it’s up to us to do something about it. At the same time students can test the information their teacher is giving them. They are going to lectures every week like any other student but they can apply their knowledge in a way that benefits the community as well as themselves.”
For further information please contact:
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