UCOL recognises the high achievers

UCOL recognises the high achievers

Ten high achieving UCOL students will get tangible support for further study with the awarding of annual scholarships this week.

The 2009 scholarship ceremony will be held in the Learning Hub in the UCOL Atrium at 12.15 on Thursday 12 November.

Three UCOL High Achievers awards, for students who have excelled in their chosen programmes, go to Level 4 Professional Cookery student Stuart Mortensen, Travel Consultancy student Nikita Orr and Bachelor of Medical Imaging and Technology student Stephanie McKenzie.

Stuart is described by his lecturers as maintaining a high standard of work with a passion for cooking; He won a gold medal, representing UCOL, in the New Zealand Culinary fare competition this year.

Nikita has maintained consistently high standards throughout the year. Stephanie is in her second year of study. In her first year she also received the Diane Lucas memorial award for high achievement.

The Fletcher Challenge Trust Award, for students who have excelled in achievement and effort, goes to second year Bachelor of Medical Imaging and Technology student Ria Huitema.

Rita also wins the Palmerston North City Council Jaycee Trust Scholarship, for her strong leadership skills on the sporting field and in the classroom.
The UCOL Scholarship for Effort and Achievement goes to Diploma in Interior Design student Megan Juno.

Third year Nursing student Sonja Van Lune and third year Bachelor of Medical Imaging and Technology student Megan Stone receive scholarships from Graduate Women Manawatu for excellence in achievement and effort.

Third year Bachelor of Information Communication Technology Helena-Jane Pene and Bachelor of Applied Visual Imaging student Erik Orman win the Andrew Cliff Awards.

Third year Nursing student Rachel Hura wins the Colleen McPherson Memorial Grant for a student who is facing additional costs because of disability. Rachel has to travel frequently to Starship Hospital in Auckland for treatment for one of her two children. She is also involved with several community charities, including the Cancer Society and Heart Children.

Deputy Chief Executive Academic, Bonnie Dewart, who will present the UCOL awards, says UCOL is committed to the success of its students. “We have been putting a great deal of time and effort into finding further ways to help our students meet their study goals.

“One visible sign is our new Learning Hub which brings together many of our student support services, including the Library and more than 60 fixed and laptop computers.”

Bonnie says statistics already show a huge increase in use by students.
Around 500 students use the facilities between 10 and 3 pm every day. They also show a big increase in use of the Library, reflected in circulation figures (books, videos and other resources). Circulation has increased by more than 105 per cent.

Online database usage, including searches, has increased by 137 per cent and full text downloads by 40 per cent.

Bonnie says these are impressive figures. “Logic tells us that they will translate into more completions. Providing better facilities as well as increased support gives students better opportunities for success. We will be building on these very successful initiatives in 2010.”

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