|
Kia ora koutou
I am delighted to share with you our new Takitahi weave which reflects Manaakitia te Rito 2019 – 2022, including our Purpose, Strategic Priorities (incorporating what success looks like in 2022) and Values. Following your feedback and review, the strategy has now been confirmed.
As well as providing a clear outline of our Renewal Strategy, the weave design is a representation of our Unitec Diamond. Takitahi is a unifying symbol representing synergy, cohesion and strength.
Your response to my email last week about the need to reduce costs has been truly amazing. Teams from across Unitec have got on board with looking at how we can not only be more efficient but more effective and I am very impressed with the level of positive engagement and understanding. It means we will be able to find significant cost savings in operating expenditure and reduction in our use of casual staff without disruption to our students. It will not eliminate the need for some reduction in positions, but will help to ensure this is kept to an absolute minimum.
I also want to update you on what we are doing to ensure there is a strong focus on our core purpose at the ELT level. You have told us that this is a concern now that I am both the Executive Dean and Interim Chief Executive and there is a lot happening externally with RoVE. Previously I let you know that Dr Simon Nash, Director Ako and Nick Sheppard, Interim HoS Engineering and Applied Technology and Executive Lead Schools have been operating as ex-officio members of the ELT. Recognising your feedback as we make further changes and navigate the RoVE environment, I am delighted to announce that we have now appointed Simon and Nick as Interim members of ELT so that they are directly involved in all decisions we make.
Simon is Interim Executive Director of Ako, Teaching and Learning, and has taken on additional responsibilities as Chair of Academic Board and oversight of our EER response. Nick is Interim Executive Director of Schools Performance, which incorporates his position as an Interim HoS and as an Executive Lead for our Schools. This covers a large part of my responsibilities as Executive Dean. Our Heads of School will still report directly to me, but operationally they will work with Nick more closely on a day-to-day basis, embedding our Renewal Strategy and Student Success Strategies.
We are also taking the opportunity to realign some areas. Tracy Chapman, Director International Student Success, will report to David Glover, Executive Director Partnerships and Student Recruitment, and Andrea Thumath, Director Unitec Pathways College and Under-25 Student Success, will report to me as Executive Dean alongside the Heads of Schools. Nick Wilson’s resignation provides the opportunity to integrate Marketing and Communications more directly with the Comms team reporting to Viv Merito, Director of Marketing and Student Attraction.
Again, thank you for your cooperation and understanding and please continue to contribute your ideas and feedback.
Finally, don’t forget to nominate some of our fantastic staff for the Unitec Excellence Awards – we’ve extended the closing date to 5pm today.
Ngā mihi
Merran Davis
Interim Chief Executive
|
