Kia ora and welcome to the October edition of We are AIC 

Welcome to the latest edition of We are AIC, where we share the stories and successes of our campus community. In this issue, students turn internships into jobs, build careers in new industries, and grow their confidence along the way. We’re also celebrating wins in national competitions, cultural events on campus, and new opportunities for students to connect and showcase their work.

Upcoming Events

Success Stories

Student turns internship into part-time job

Applied Management student Celestial Chen is making the most of her international study experience, securing an internship, impressing her team, and turning the opportunity into a part-time role. Celestial has previously worked as a television presenter as well as a marketing manager for a multinational company. Her work took her throughout China, and she developed a strong understanding of different markets. That’s what inspired her to explore new opportunities internationally.

Learner lands job through Employability support

Master’s student Ruwanthi Silva has secured a management role in the apparel industry. She credits Employability Centre workshops with helping her secure the role and says she now applies classroom knowledge in her work. Ruwanthi’s new role at Checks Downtown involves managing the production process from initial product development through to the finished garment. She also oversees offshore manufacturing, ensures product quality, and contributes to sustainable supply chain management.

Nature inspires student’s hands-on tech project

Bachelor of Information Technology student Senuth Wickramasinghe has brought his love of New Zealand’s natural environment into his studies by creating a website about Orewa Beach. Senuth came to New Zealand to advance his knowledge of AI and analytics, having studied a computer science diploma and worked in a trainee system administration role back home in Sri Lanka.

Graduate gains confidence and drive

A singer, songwriter, and aspiring business owner has completed his Bachelor of Applied Management degree with a new sense of confidence and drive to achieve his goals. Rajinder Singh says he’s gained theoretical knowledge and practical experience during his degree, developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. He said the experience has shaped his personal growth and helped him build resilience and self-belief.

Master’s student grows career in property

A master’s student with a diverse professional background has secured a role in the property management sector in New Zealand. Mary Grace Estrella grew up in the Philippines helping her father and grandmother with various family businesses, including a foreign exchange, a grocery mart, a small restaurant, and an ice plant.

Internship offers insight into New Zealand business

A master’s student with extensive experience in finance and accounting is building his knowledge of the New Zealand business landscape through his internship. Master of Applied Management student Siraj Junaideen has worked in finance and accounting for more than 14 years. His work has taken him from Sri Lankan warehouses to the boardrooms of Timor-Leste, and he has experience across a range of different industries, including retail, hospitality, and real estate.

Talk of the Campus

Welcome to new learners from the Chief Executive 

This study block, learners from more than 10 countries joined our community, and we’re honoured you’ve chosen our institution as the place to study. We celebrate the diversity, energy, and global perspectives you bring to our campus. At AIC, we believe that we don’t just educate — we transform. Your employability is our mission. Every lesson, every challenge, and every breakthrough is designed to prepare you for the global workforce.

Teamwork leads AIC student to national win

AIC student Wei Qi (Beatrice) Hong and her teammates have won one of New Zealand’s top construction competitions, crediting their success to strong teamwork and mutual support. The BRANZ ArchEngBuild Challenge is one of New Zealand’s leading interdisciplinary competitions, fostering collaboration between final-year students in architecture, engineering, and construction.

AIC student wins bronze in top NZ pastry competition

AIC student Sisi Li has taken out the Bronze Medal in the NZ Pastry Chef of the Year 2025 category at the prestigious NZ Chefs Championships. Only the top candidates from across New Zealand are selected to compete and must submit a professional CV to enter. The competition involves an on-site three-hour challenge, creating four plated fine-dining desserts and one large celebration cake.

Reflections on Four Decades in Artificial Intelligence: Progress, Purpose, and Responsibility

Ganeshan’s journey with AI began in 1983, when he enrolled in a master’s programme in the UK. From the start, his work was grounded in practical applications - detecting incipient faults in large machinery such as power turbines and aircraft engines and tackling complex optimisation and scheduling problems. Now, more than four decades later, even Ganeshan is struck by how rapidly the field has progressed.

New Zealand researchers secure grant for AI disaster response research

Aotearoa New Zealand is heading an international project to develop AI-enabled disaster response solutions, with work being led by Dr Farhad Mehdipour from our Auckland International Campus. Funded by the Royal Society Te Apārangi's Catalyst: Seeding programme, the two-year project will develop a Mobile and Home Evacuee Assistance System (MHEAS). It will focus on reaching “hidden evacuees” who are often overlooked in traditional emergency responses.

New AIC podcast launched

Welcome to What’s Up AIC, a student-led podcast that dives deeper into the personal and professional experiences of our guests. Join us as we explore their journeys, challenges, and advice to help students gain fresh perspectives on academics, careers, and life at AIC. In our very first episode of What’s Up AIC, we sit down with Varun Bhardwaj, lecturer, researcher, entrepreneur, and yoga instructor. To explore how curiosity, compassion, and creativity shape learning and life. From academic research to everyday mindfulness, this conversation is full of insight and inspiration. The new podcast is hosted by Sangya Sapkota and produced by Reign Beato.

Graduates encouraged to dream big

Graduates were encouraged to dream big as they celebrated their achievements at the Auckland Town Hall. Students from a range of programmes offered by Otago Polytechnic, Future Skills, and Capable NZ crossed the stage in front of family, friends, and staff.

Students bring innovation to life in embedded systems course

Our Bachelor of Information Technology students are turning big ideas into reality through hands-on projects in their Embedded Systems course. Working in groups, they are designing and building prototypes that not only sharpen their technical expertise but also strengthen their teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Celebrating Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori at AIC

We marked Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori with a full schedule of activities on campus. The week began with a pepeha workshop, where students learned how to introduce themselves in the traditional Māori way, followed by the rakau stick game. In the second half of the week, students explored Māori design by creating their own wristbands, took part in a hands-on workshop making poi, and rounded off the week with kai and kēmu.

AIC welcomes new students

AIC has welcomed its new students at Orientation, marking the start of their academic journey. Students were introduced to their lecturers and support teams and took part in a full day of activities, including a campus tour, IT induction, lunch, an insurance presentation, and introductions to employability services and academic programmes. They also attended an Employability Services and Industry Engagement workshop and an Academic Success workshop.

Employability Centre

Construction students gain hands-on experience through internships

Three construction students are getting real-world experience and learning from industry professionals through their internships with Fire Guard Fire Stopping Services. The students all expressed thanks to the incredible team at Fire Guard for welcoming them, sharing their knowledge, and helping to shape the foundation of their future careers. 

Learners share internship lessons

Students from our Construction programmes learned first-hand how industry placements can prepare them for the workplace during an engaging panel discussion.  The event, moderated by Employability Specialist Nicki Trueman, featured a panel of students: Harsh Khurana, Ishara Madushanika Kumari Hewa Battage, Kevini Dharmdasa, and Basil Thadikulangara Alias, each of whom has recently completed or is currently engaging with an industry-specific internship. 

IT students to showcase innovation at AIC Career Expo

The AIC Career Expo 2025 is just around the corner, and our IT students are getting ready to showcase their project work. The expo will be a great opportunity to see their creativity, technical skills, and innovative ideas in action.