Kia ora and welcome to the August edition of We are OPAIC 

In this issue, we share the success stories of three students who have benefited from the support provided by our staff. We also highlight a visit from two Canadian scholars. Finally, we’ll share our latest initiatives designed to give students valuable industry experience and prepare them for the professional world.  

Success Stories

Success Story: Bikramjeet Singh Suman   

Master of Applied Management student Bikramjeet Singh Suman has hit the ground running since arriving in New Zealand in April. He says some of the best parts about his OPAIC experience so far have been our Employability offerings, our Student Success department, our clubs, and our alumni mentorship programme. 

Success Story: Ilgar Isayev 

Ilgar Isayev is making the most of his time at OPAIC, immersing himself fully in both learning and networking. Having arrived from Baku, Azerbaijan this April, he is returning to academia 20 years after completing his last master’s degree. His diverse background spans a successful career in organisational transformation and financial transition. 

Success Story: Balaram Mahato 

Recent Bachelor of Information Technology graduate Balaram Mahato enjoyed the supportive and friendly environment here at Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus. Balaram came to New Zealand from Nepal to pursue his international studies. He has previously worked as an ICT Support Technician. He says the best parts about studying at OPAIC were the lecturers. 

Talk of the Campus

Canadian scholars explore indigenisation and internationalisation 

We were fortunate to host a team from the University of Saskatchewan on our campus last week.  A member of the U15 Group of Canadian research-intensive universities, the University of Saskatchewan is home to the oldest indigenous teacher education programme in the world. 

Professor Vicki Squires, Kristine Dreaver-Charles, and Associate Professor Michael Cottrell, who had been travelling with a group of indigenous graduate learners, were keen to visit our campus following a study abroad programme at the University of Waikato. Michael and Kristine had also visited OP’s Dunedin campus earlier in the month.  

Student takes part in national challenge 

An OPAIC Construction student was among Aotearoa’s top Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Management students who took part in the ArchEngBuild 2024 challenge recently. 

Mandi Lobar was selected for the challenge which took place at the University of Canterbury in July. Students collaborated at the event to design a resilient, affordable, and sustainable urban housing development suitable for a site in the heart of Christchurch. 

New Network Lab provides students with real-world experience 

We’re bridging the gap between theory and practice and giving our IT students the chance to set up and manage real-world networks in our new Network Lab. 

Senior Lecturer Kathiravelu Ganeshan spent the mid-year break setting up the lab, which is now being used by Bachelor of Information Technology and Graduate Diploma in Information Technology students studying our Introduction to Networks course. 

Ganeshan says students are engaging in hands-on practical work in the lab, using physical hardware, including industry-standard Cisco routers, switches, and Wi-Fi routers from various vendors.  

Researcher shares IT insights with students 

Our IT students are getting opportunities to learn from and network with industry experts. We invited Software Engineering Researcher and University Lecturer Jim Buchan to the campus last week.  

Jim has extensive experience in industry and academia. He has held a variety of roles at Auckland University of Technology working with staff and postgraduate students to understand and improve the team-based development of software. 

Join in the fun at AIC Sports Night 

AIC Sports Night takes place every Thursday from 5pm to 7pm. Come along and enjoy table football, pool, table tennis, board games, video games, and more. All students are welcome. Want to be part of the sports club? Reach out to our Student Representative at  AICStudentRep@op.ac.nz for more details.   

Become a part of the Table Tennis Club 

Passionate about table tennis or just want to give it a try? We’d love to have you in our student-led Table Tennis Club! Sign up here to get started.    

Unwinding at Gaming Night 

Last week’s Gaming Night, led by Nikita from IT support, was a big success. We had a great time with various games and good company. 

Elevator etiquette reminder 

To ensure a smooth elevator experience for everyone, please remember to let people exit before you enter. Select only the floor you need and the direction you’re going. If your destination is just one floor up or down, consider using the stairs if you are able. Also, be mindful of others when using the elevators, and wait your turn. 

Employability Corner

Employability Centre services for new students 

The Employability Centre hosted a welcome Orientation for our new OPAIC and Future Skills International students as they embark on an exciting journey of education and career growth in New Zealand. There are a number of support services available for new students at the Employability Centre. Read all about them here.    

A reflection on our Employability Catalysts group activity 

In late July, Employability Catalysts group members and some new learners attended a fantastic event focused on hunting for a job in these difficult times. They connected with many talented professionals. It was an inspiring and meaningful experience for everyone who attended - Kalash attri, Seleena Marie Guledew, Diana Jane Llabres, Liuyin Ye, Mary Grace Estrella, Bharti Mahi, and Udaya Perera. Our learners felt grateful to TechDojo – the Recruitment Partner in the AI and Digital Age and the Employability Centre for facilitating their participation in this event. 

Career insights for construction students  

Our students recently had the opportunity to hear from a panel of construction professionals who shared valuable career insights. The discussion went beyond technical skills to emphasise key aspects of professional growth, such as listening carefully, asking questions, and valuing each person’s unique journey. The OPAIC Employability Centre hosted Karyn Beattie, Andrew Helm, Nanetta Rathnakumar, Anoop Babu, and Sam Gunther from Icon at the campus. Read all about the event here.  

Celebrating Alumni Excellence 

Our graduate, Marina Voloshin, shared a moving story during a recent catch-up with Russell Harry and Dani Mao.  Marina recalled her first job in Russia after earning her bachelor’s degree. Her boss told her to forget what she learned in the classroom and focus on learning on the job. Now, as the Lead Business Analyst for Marlborough District Council, Marina proudly acknowledges that the skills and knowledge she gained at Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus are invaluable in her current role.  

She expressed heartfelt gratitude to our lecturers, Dr Lorraine Skelton and Dr Shafiq Alam, for their knowledge, experiential teaching, and authentic business cases and projects which enhanced her problem-solving skills in the real world. 

Alumni Mentor Coffee Connect session  

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to all the mentors who participated in the Alumni Mentor Coffee Connect for OPAIC and Future Skills students. They were Patricia Joseph, Christiaan William, Kara Frances Arenas, Sanim Pokhrel, Yashraj Chhabra and Joyce Castillo. Their dedication and support are truly inspiring. A special shoutout to Marina Voloshin, who flew all the way from Blenheim. 

To all the students and alumni who attended, your proactive approach and eagerness to connect and learn are commendable. Together, we continue to build a strong, supportive tribe and community that uplifts each other.