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Kia ora and welcome to the Study Block 2 issue of We are AIC
This edition highlights the people, achievements, projects, and events shaping our campus community. There has been plenty happening across the campus in recent months, including strong academic results, industry engagement, research achievements, employability initiatives, and cultural celebrations.
A MESSAGE
FROM AMIN
Celebrating success and looking ahead
Dear AIC students,
I hope this message finds you well, and that the recess last month gave you a good break before Study Block 2 picked up pace again.
To those of you just beginning your study journey, I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome you to AIC again! I hope these first six weeks have given you a strong start and that you are beginning to feel at home on campus.
First, I want to say congratulations. Completing Block 1, whether it was your first block with us or one of many, takes real effort, and I've heard wonderful feedback from staff about the energy and commitment you've brought to your studies. A special mention to the students who received the Excellent Scholar Award. Your results reflect not only academic achievement but the kind of dedication that lifts everyone around you. We are very proud of you.
I'd also like to take a moment to recognise Lakshita Fulara, who recently completed her term as Student Representative. Thank you for the time, care, and honesty you brought to the role; your voice made a real difference, and we're grateful for everything you contributed. At the same time, I'm delighted to welcome Roxanne Bihag as our incoming student representative. I look forward to working with you, and I encourage all students to reach out to Roxanne with ideas, concerns, or simply a conversation about how we can keep making AIC better.
As we move through Study Block 2, please remember that your lecturers, student support team, and the Employability team are here for you, not only when things are difficult, but whenever you'd like guidance or a fresh perspective. Reaching out early is always easier than reaching out late.
Looking after yourselves matters too. Sleep, friendships, time away from screens, and asking for help when you need it are not extras, they're part of how you do your best work and enjoy your time here.
AIC is a community of students from many different backgrounds, each carrying their own story into the classroom. That diversity is one of the things I love most about this campus, and I'm grateful you've chosen to be part of it.
I look forward to seeing you around campus in the weeks ahead.
TALK OF
THE CAMPUS
AIC RESEARCHERS PUBLISH AI INNOVATION STUDY
Two Auckland International Campus researchers have had their study on AI capability and digital agility published in the highly regarded Thunderbird International Business Review. Applied Management Principal Lecturer Bing Dai and Senior Lecturer Jimmy Sun have been involved in the research project in collaboration with scholars from RMIT University (Australia) and the University of North Florida (USA).
Lecturer named project award finalist
Principal Lecturer Lorraine Skelton has been named a finalist for Project Professional of the Year at the New Zealand Project Management Awards 2026. The awards, run by the Project Management Institute New Zealand, recognise outstanding achievement and leadership across the profession.
Sri Lankan celebration brings colour to campus
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, known as Aluth Avurudu, was celebrated on campus with a vibrant lunchtime event. The celebration brought together the campus’s large Sri Lankan community, along with staff and students from across the world.
Celebrating Nowruz at AIC
We celebrated Nowruz at our Auckland International Campus with sweets and beautiful Haft-Seen tables. Nowruz, also known as the Persian New Year, symbolises renewal, hope, and the turning of the seasons.
IT students put networking into practice
Learning networking without hands-on experience is like learning construction without ever seeing a building, according to Senior Lecturer Kathiravelu Ganeshan. First-year Bachelor of Information Technology students are putting that philosophy into practice.
Reflecting on two years as Student Representative
Lakshita Fulara applied for the Student Representative role at our Auckland International Campus two years ago to meet new people and support students, just as she had once needed support herself.
Campus hosts vibrant Nepali New Year celebration
Auckland International Campus marked the Nepali New Year with a vibrant celebration organised by the Nepalese Student Community. At the event, we learned about Nepalese culture and the history behind the New Year.
Campus hosts Eid celebration for students and staff
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, reflection, and community for Muslims around the world. Principal Lecturer Hymie Abd-Latif opened the event with a karakia or du’a, then taught us a little more about the occasion.
Building smarter assessments in the age of AI
Two Future Skills academics are working with educators to rethink assessment design in the age of AI. Dr Farhad Mehdipour Dr Naz Ebrahimi have co-led a series of workshops with lecturers from a range of subject areas at our Manukau campus.
Call for papers now open for Rere Āwhio
We are seeking submissions focused on sustainability, innovation, systems thinking, digital transformation, and industry-connected research in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally for Rere Āwhio – Journal of Applied Research & Practice (Issue 6, 2026).
From Academia to Real-World Impact
In this special episode, Sangya Sapkota sits down with Dr Lorraine Skelton, Principal Lecturer in Applied Management at Auckland International Campus, for a conversation on women in STEM, AI, leadership, innovation, inclusivity, accessibility, and lifelong learning.
Students build confidence through Conversations initiative
Our international students are turning out in growing numbers for a Conversations initiative aimed at building confidence and speaking skills. The sessions have been running on Level 3 at lunchtime each Tuesday. They give students a relaxed space to practise English with peers and staff.
Industry expert shares construction insights
The Construction department recently hosted an engaging guest lecture for learners in the Construction Business Management course, presented by Rishan Wijeweera, Client Operations Lead at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics New Zealand.
From Miss Sri Lanka to student life in New Zealand
In a recent episode of our international student-led podcast What’s Up AIC, Sangya Sapkota sits down with Solange Gunawijeya – Miss Sri Lanka 2013, national athlete, humanitarian, and master’s student.
Passing the Torch
Season three of What’s Up AIC is all about duos, and in our latest episode, we capture a special moment of transition as the AIC Student Representative role passes from Lakshita Fulara to Roxanne Bihag.
Hands-on learning boosts student engagement
Students in AIC’s Business Solution Architecture course are gaining hands-on experience through interactive activities designed to connect theory with real-world practice. Applied Management Lecturer Nishika Jayasinghe says experiential learning offers an effective approach for addressing the theory-practice gap in education.
Construction students inspect Avondale home
Auckland International Campus Construction students gained hands-on insight into building inspection during a site visit to a 1939 residential property in Avondale this month. Students in the Environment course visited the home to assess environmental factors including sunlight, drainage, and vegetation.
Construction lecturers tour Fisher and Paykel HQ
Four of our Construction lecturers recently attended an exclusive site visit to Fisher & Paykel’s purpose-built Global Headquarters and research and development facility in Auckland. The group said it was a rare and invaluable opportunity to experience one of the city's most significant construction projects up close.
Guest lecture explores dispute resolution in practice
The Auckland International Campus Construction Team was pleased to host a guest session on Dispute Resolution delivered by Michael Jamieson, a representative from the Building Disputes Tribunal (BDT).
Congratulations to our Excellent Scholars
Congratulations to all of our students who received recognition at our Excellent Scholar Award ceremony. Te Kaihāpai Seal Bell congratulated students on their awards, saying the awards were all about celebrating their approach to learning and work and how that would shape their future.
Promoting kindness on campus
We dressed in pink recently to celebrate diversity and promote kindness and inclusiveness. Our Pink Shirt Day event on campus included games, activities, prizes, and kai. Pink Shirt Day is all about reducing bullying by celebrating diversity in all its forms.
Students visit timber facility and explore construction processes
Our Construction students gained practical insight into modern construction during a visit to Red Stag TimberLab. The visit to Red Stag TimberLab was a valuable experience for the students, as it allowed them to see real construction processes beyond the classroom.
Construction students gain industry insight at Beca
We had the opportunity to take our Construction students for a guest lecture and office tour at Beca Group recently. Principal Lecturer Omer Altaf says it was an insightful experience where students were exposed to real-world projects.
Students begin their journey at AIC
We welcomed a new batch of international students to our Auckland International Campus in April, with a range of activities designed to prepare them for life and study in New Zealand.
Volunteer interns support IT students in class
First-year Bachelor of Information Technology students are gaining extra support in the classroom through a new volunteer internship initiative at AIC. The interns provide in-class IT helpdesk support to their peers.
Five Ways to Wellbeing
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we ran our "Five Ways to Wellbeing" initiative, inviting students to take part in weekly activities designed to boost mental health and build resilience. The programme is built around five evidence-based pillars: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give.
Students volunteer to support local restoration project
As part of the Five Ways to Wellbeing initiative for Mental Health Awareness Month, students volunteered with Friends of Oakley Creek, helping protect newly planted native trees during a community working bee.
Clash of Minds quiz supports wellbeing initiative
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month and the Five Ways to Wellbeing initiative, five groups went head-to-head in the Clash of Minds Learning Quiz, enjoying friendly competition and the chance to connect with their peers.
AIC Music Club launched
Student Ambassadors have led the launch of the newly established Music Club on campus. Club members recently enjoyed an afternoon that opened with a performance by club members, followed by a range of fun games and activities.
SUCCESS
STORIES
LEARNER LANDS PAID ROLE AFTER CAMPUS EVENT
A Master of Applied Management student has secured a paid role in his field after making a connection at our recent Student Pitch Night on campus.
Joselito Valmadrid Jr., who goes by Val, holds a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering and brings 16 years of experience in the water utility sector in the Philippines. He began his career as a cadet engineer and worked his way up to become Head of Water Business.
PLACEMENT BUILDS REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE FOR MASTER’S STUDENT
Master of Applied Management student Xin (Andy) Liu gained hands-on industry experience during his internship placement with finance tech company MyRepsoft.
Andy has just completed a 120-hour placement with the company. His work focused on market and industry research, strategic analysis, and identifying ideal customers and how the company should position itself to attract them.
STUDENT REFLECTS ON GROWTH AFTER COMPLETING PLACEMENT READY PROGRAMME
Master’s student Nadeeka Nimali Abeykoon says she grew professionally and personally while completing our new Placement Ready Programme.
She has now started her role as a Financial Services Operations Management Intern with foreign exchange provider City Forex NZ following a successful interview. Nadeeka recently completed the Placement Ready Programme, which includes training in professional communication, interview readiness, and workplace expectations.
BALANCING STUDY, WORK, AND FAMILY LIFE
Ayumi Lopes is balancing study, work, parenting, and peer tutoring while building a future in business and fintech.
Originally from Japan, Ayumi is studying a Master of Applied Management at AIC after already completing a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies in Los Angeles. Her career has included teaching English to children in Japan, operations at a Finnish food delivery startup, and fintech work helping process international student payments.
EMPLOYABILITY
CENTRE
STUDENTS EXPLORE AI ETHICS AT DEBATE EVENT
Students stepped into Auckland’s tech scene at the Taitamariki Potentia Debate, where discussions around artificial intelligence, ethics, and innovation sparked new perspectives and industry connections.
A group of students attended the debate in downtown Auckland alongside Employability Manager Dani Mao. The event brought together industry professionals, academics, recruiters, and students to debate the motion: “This House would support a global moratorium on frontier AI development.” An interesting feature was the use of Symbai, an AI argument-mapping tool that judged the debate in real time.
AIC Employability Manager shares 2026 New Zealand job market insights
AIC Employability Manager Dani Mao shared insights into New Zealand’s evolving 2026 job market at a sold-out Auckland employability event attended by students, migrants, graduates, and early-career professionals.
Students gain networking skills at employability event
The Employability department accompanied eight Auckland International Campus students to an off-site panel and networking opportunity organised by Lume PR and Events with support from AIC.
Alumni mentor students at coffee connect event
We brought together 12 alumni mentors who have successfully established their careers and 17 new Auckland International Campus students at an event this month. The Alumni x Student Industry Coffee Connect event held at AIC on Saturday allowed alumni and students to connect over coffee and lunch.
Students gain SEEK profile and career advice
Students had the opportunity to learn directly from Gill Farrer and Jessica Carli from the SEEK Head Office, who delivered an insightful and practical session on how to make the most of SEEK profiles and stand out to employers .
Building confidence in Kiwi workplace culture
Understanding workplace culture is key to student success in Aotearoa New Zealand, and a recent workshop at AIC brought that learning to life.
Students step into community and secure placements
Two Master of Applied Management students secured professional work placements within a month of arriving in New Zealand. AIC Employability Manager Dani Mao accompanied the students, one from Dubai and one from Sri Lanka, to Elevate Christian Disability Trust, where they interviewed for Office Administration and Project Coordinator placement roles.