Unitec Chief Executive Reappointed Until 2016

Unitec Chief Executive Reappointed Until 2016

The largest Institute of Technology in the country, Unitec Institute of Technology, has reappointed Dr Rick Ede as Chief Executive for another four years.

In Dr Ede's five years in the job he has helped refocus Unitec towards being an institution that delivers world-class vocational and applied professional education and training built on a foundation of work-integrated learning. In addition Unitec's ability to reinvest in its people and facilities has been significantly boosted, along with an increased commitment to health, safety and environment.

Dr Ede has been instrumental in fostering community and industry engagement. Under his leadership, innovative collaborations have seen IBM opening their only NZ-based delivery centre on campus, that is bringing employment opportunities for students with major national and international companies and seen the development, in conjunction with Japan's NICT, of NZ's only cyber-security research laboratory.

"This is what Unitec is all about," says Dr Ede. "Building partnerships that will provide opportunities for our students, the institution, our community and the wider Auckland region, and ensure we are relevant into the future."

More recently a Memorandum of Understanding with CMC Ltd, India, has seen the launch of two advanced vocational education programs, in India, aimed at creating highly employable graduates in the IT and construction sectors.

"We are pleased Rick will be continuing in this position for another term to lead Unitec through an anticipated period of transformation," says Chair of the Unitec Board, Ted Van Arkel. "Unitec is already starting to realise some of the benefits of the growing local and international relationships fostered under Rick's leadership including notable brands such as IBM, NICT and CMC."

Over the last year, Unitec has won the Sustainable Business Network Trailblazer Not for Profit Award, won a CAANZ media award for the campaign "We make the people who make it",  and been recognised by The Office of Ethnic Affairs, IPANZ public sector excellence Awards and EEO Trust Life and Work Awards for their work in building an inclusive environment.

Dr Ede joined Unitec in April 2008.  He holds a Masters degree and a Doctorate in chemistry from the University of Waikato and has provided consultancy services to industry and educational organisations in Asia and North America. He is an alumnus of the London Business School, a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Chairperson of the Metro Group - comprising the six major Institutes of Technology in New Zealand who work collaboratively to drive economic performance through efficient and effective education provision.

ENDS

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