Waikato University 40th Anniversary

Waikato University 40th Anniversary - Celebrating Success

Waikato University has today unveiled its plans for celebrating its 40th anniversary year from February 2004 to February 2005. The University was founded in 1964 and officially opened in February 1965.

"We will be celebrating our 40th anniversary year with considerable pride in our achievements," says Vice-Chancellor Bryan Gould. "We look forward to the future with confidence and with the aim of building significantly on the very solid foundation our first four decades has provided. The university has become an integral part of Hamilton and the Waikato, as well as the wider New Zealand teriary education sector.

"We value highly our partnerships with local people, business and iwi. As we celebrate our 40th, it is important for me to acknowledge each individual local and international student, staff member, Maori organisation, businessperson, partner institution, media and so on who has helped us achieve success.

"We have built a uniquely Waikato institution ko te tanagata (for the people) which I am confident will continue to serve the region and the country well. I encourage people to join with us over the course of the celebrations and share in our success," says Professor Gould.

Below is a selection of the plans for next year:

Official 40th launch WEL Energy trust Academy of Performing Arts - Sunday Feb 29th This outside concert will feature performances that highlight the talent of Waikato staff, students and graduates including: opera singer and Waikato alumni Olivia Fraser, a Screen & Media building projection show, Kapa Haka, other musical and dance performances and a fire works & lighting extravaganza.

40th Anniversary scholarships In partnership with Mercury Energy, the University will award scholarships to all A&B bursary new students in 2004. A ceremony marking the award will be held to highlight the scholarships.

Flags The Hamilton City Council has made available all 42 of the flag banners in Garden Place and Worley Place for our 40th year (Feb to Dec). A local community artist is currently drafting designs.

Static photo display The display will provide a visual history of the development and achievements of Waikato. These photos will be displayed throughout the year in different venues around campus and the city to ensure the maximum number of people can view them.

Graduation - Hamilton City Council partnership The University has been working with HCC to give graduation a higher profile in our 40th anniversary year. A number of new developments are planned including the production of two large graduation banners that will hang in the City and at the University during graduation week.

Fuel Festival (June/July 2004) The FUEL festival will bring major national and international theatre to Hamilton and many of the major events will be staged at the WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts.

The Great Race This race between Waikato and Cambridge universities will be promoted as part of the 40th celebrations.

Law celebrations On Friday 12 March, a dinner celebrating ten years since the first Law graduation will be held in the Academy of Performing Arts for invited guests, law students and staff.

The Law School is working with the Foundation office which has responsibility for organising the Annual Vice-Chancellor's Lecture. Attorney General Hon Margaret Wilson will be special guest for the Law School celebratory dinner and will deliver the Vice-Chancellor's Lecture at its conclusion.

Waikato Management School celebrations The Management School is going to incorporate the university's 40th Anniversary into their Research Seminar series next year. These seminars are schedule for March 24, May19, August 4 and September 29.

Science & Technology celebrations S&T will have a "Celebration of Excellence" in June. This celebration will commend current achievements but also look back at achievements over the last 40 years. Details still to be finalised. The School will also be involved in the development of a university Fieldays site.

School of Maori & Pacific Development celebrations SMPD celebrations will be focused on July. Events are to be finalised but are likely to include a Maori & Pacific arts display in Garden Place, a Treaty of Waitangi seminar series, and a Maori language debate between alumni and current students.

Tauranga celebrations In August 2004 the University of Waikato at Tauranga will hold two piano performances by Elise Sobol. One will be in Tauranga, the other in Hamilton at the Academy of Performing Arts. As well as being a distinguished pianist, Professor Elise Sobol is also a lecturer in music education for children with special needs. Elise will also hold a number of seminars for teachers on the use of music for either general or special classes. The piano performances will raise money for the Tauranga Alumni scholarship, while the seminars will help to cover the costs of bringing Elise out to New Zealand and advertising her seminars. Alumni, students and guests will be invited to the recitals.

School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences celebrations SCMS celebrations will be in September. They plan to launch an interactive CD which will celebrate where the School has come from and where it's going. The CD will be gifted to research partners and stakeholders and will be a useful resource for the University.

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences celebrations FASS will have a month of celebrations in October designed to highlight the talents and history of success of FASS students, alumni and staff. The major event will be a variety Concert/Alumni event Date (tbc):

Thursday 21st October

Thursday 28th October Location:

WEL Energy Academy of Performing Arts

Concert will include: Taiko drums, short plays, mini Shakespeare, musical performances, poetry readings, short stories, short films, Kapa Haka, and dance. A daytime concert for students and year 13 Hamilton secondary students is also being arranged.

History of Waikato In February 2005 the launch of Dr Michael King's book on the history of the University of Waikato will mark the end of the 40th anniversary. A new University art work/ sculpture will also be launched at this time.

Community Fun Day - February 2005 A big party on the University campus to end the 40th celebrations with a bang! We're currently working to secure a big act to head this event.

Other happenings:

Official opening of Information Commons / Te Awhina Date: 19th March, 4.30 Location: Library

Orientation Week Date: First week of Semester A Location: On Campus.

Mäori Orientation - A Semester Date: 27th February Location: Academy of Performing Arts

Launch of new Wallace hang / relocation of McAllister sculpture Date: March 8th Location: Academy

VC's cricket match Date: Sunday 4th April Location: University of Waikato

Performing Arts workshop for youth of Hamilton City Event Date: 12th- 15th April Location: WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts

New Zealand University Games Date: April 13th - 17th Location: University of Otago

University Marae Graduation Date:16 April Location: Te Kohinga Marama Marae

University Graduation Date: 19-22 April Location: Founders Theatre

University Open Day Event date: Friday 30th Location: Waikato University

International Day Event Date: May 5th Location: Waikato Universoity

Hakinakina - InterSchool Mäori Sports Date: 21 May Location: University Fields or Uni Rec Centre

The University of Waikato Orchestra Concert Event date: 23 May Location: WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts

Mäori Student Orientation - B Semester Date: 9 May

Location: Te Ahurutanga Courtyard

Women in Computing Date: 29th Sept (TBC) Location: Academy

BMus Performance Auditions Event date: 2 September Location: WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts

6th Alumni Revue Date: 23rd Sept Location: Academy

The Battle of the Bombays Date: Saturday 18th September TBC Waikato vs Auckland Intervarsity Sports Challenge Location: University Campus.

The University of Waikato Music Department Concert Date: 26 September Location: WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts

Wallace Corporation University Blues Awards Date: Friday, October 1st Event: Location: Academy

Hakinakina - InterSchool Mäori Sports Date: 1 October Location: University Fields or Uni Rec Centre

Lilburn Composition Competition Event date: 15 October - 7.30pm Location: WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts

© Scoop Media