Enhancement Theme Symposium 2018

A first AQA Enhancement Theme Symposium was held on Wednesday 31 October 2018, at Massey University's Pukeahu Campus in Wellington.

The Symposium provided an opportunity for members of university senior leadership teams, academics, professional staff and students, engaged with the topic of the theme - access, outcomes and opportunities for Māori students and for Pasifika students - to share and critique initiatives and approaches. Comprised of Plenary Sessions and Workshops, the Symposium focused on sharing experience, considering what could be achieved and exploring the impact of doing things differently.

The enhancement theme has been introduced to New Zealand universities as part of the overall model for Cycle 6 Academic Audit. The enhancement theme is led and undertaken by the universities, who have established a Steering Group to guide and oversee progress. Further information about the Cycle 6 Enhancement Theme can be found here.

Each university will utilise the experience and report from the Symposium as appropriate to their individual approaches and priorities in their own enhancement theme plans.  It will also contribute to Te Kāhui Amokura and Komiti Pasifika workstreams as well as the Enhancement Theme objective of being “explicit and transparent about how NZ universities are working together to progress parity in access, outcomes and opportunities for Māori learners and for Pasifika learners”.  

Resources and photos from this event can be found below:

Resources: 

• Enhancement Theme Symposium Workbook
• What is an Enhancement Theme? An introductory video outlining the background and aims of the Enhancement Theme
• #ETSymp2018 – Video highlights from the day
• Enhancement Theme Symposium Report

Photos:

^{Attendees at the first Enhancement Theme Symposium}

^{Members of university senior leadership teams, academics, professional staff, and students share and critique initiatives and approaches during workshop sessions}.

^{Ali Leota chairs the Student Panel (Andrew Itinteang, Te Māpihi Tutua-Nathan, Tiana Mihaere, Ester Bill and James Ranstead)}

^{Comprised of Plenary Sessions and Workshops, the Symposium focused on sharing experience, considering what could be achieved and exploring the impact of doing things differently}

^{Paula Morrison acts as rapporteur for a workshop session.}

^{Professor Robyn Longhurst chairs the final panel (Professor Giselle Byrnes,} Dr ^{Charlotte Severne,} Mr ^{Derek McCormack, Mamaeroa Merito and Associate Professor Damon Salesa)}