Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

March 26, 2025

When Mai Nguyễn first arrived in New Zealand in April 2023, she could only dream of one day standing on stage delivering the valedictory speech at her own graduation.

Yesterday, (March 25), she did just that — speaking as Valedictorian and graduating with a Master of Digital Business at one of two EIT Auckland ceremonies at the Aotea Centre.

“I’m so proud of it, super proud,” Mai says. “When I first started studying, I helped out at graduation ceremonies. I watched the valedictorians speak and I dreamed of being one of them. And now, it’s come true.”

Originally from Vietnam, Mai holds a Bachelor in Hospitality Management and had a successful career in marketing at a cybersecurity company before moving abroad with her husband Tran Khanh Hiep and their then two-and-a-half-year-old son Tran Khanh An. Despite the challenges of starting over in a new country, Mai embraced every opportunity with determination and heart.

She completed her Master of Digital Business at EIT Auckland and quickly became a valued part of the student community, serving as a student representative and mentor.

That sense of support is something she felt from the moment she enrolled. “The EIT philosophy of providing the support to succeed is true. From day one, I felt it. Even when I lost my first assignment due to a technical issue, and the librarian from Napier helped me late at night. That meant so much.”

She describes the Auckland campus as small but warm — a place where “everyone knows your name” and where international students are truly looked after.

“I always felt like I belonged. There’s something special about how EIT supports students. They see more than just your grades; they see your heart and your effort.”

Now working as a business development manager for an immigration company, Mai helps other migrants find their path in Aotearoa. She hopes to become a licensed immigration advisor and continue supporting Vietnamese students who want to study in New Zealand — including, she hopes, at EIT.

“I still tell EIT staff, if you ever need my help, I’ll be there,” she says. “I believe in what EIT offers — not just education, but care.”

“I wasn’t always this helpful or reflective,” she adds. “Back in Vietnam, I was career focused. But studying here helped me grow. I realised that success isn’t just about what you achieve — it’s about the impact you have on others.”

To new international students, Mai offers heartfelt advice.

“Change is not scary, it’s part of growth. You might suffer and struggle, but everything will be fine in the end. Do good, and good will always come back to you.”

EIT Auckland Campus Director Cherie Freeman says this achievement is a testament to Mai’s dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence throughout her studies.

“The team at EIT is incredibly proud of all that Mai has accomplished. We are also deeply grateful for the unwavering support she has shown to the student community. Time and time again, Mai stepped up to help—whether by helping, providing guidance, or simply being there when needed. Her willingness to lend a hand, often on short notice, and her consistent presence on campus, sometimes on a daily basis, have made a significant impact.

“Mai has truly earned this distinction, and EIT wishes her all the best in her future endeavours. She will always have a special place in the EIT family.”

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

March 25, 2025

Celebrations filled the Aotea Centre as the EIT Auckland Campus held its largest ever graduation, with a record 216 students crossing the stage in front of proud family, friends and faculty.

To accommodate the growing number of graduates, two ceremonies were held – 96 students in the morning and 120 in the afternoon. The graduates, many of whom are international students, received postgraduate degrees and diplomas across a variety of disciplines at the ceremonies today (March 25).

EIT Auckland Campus Director Cherie Freeman congratulated the graduates and acknowledged the commitment and perseverance they had shown throughout their studies.

“This is a momentous occasion for our campus,” she said. “Not only is it our largest graduation to date, but it’s also a celebration of the incredible resilience, hard work and cultural diversity our students bring to EIT Auckland.”

Among those honoured were valedictorians Muddassar Khot, who graduated with a Master of Information Technology, and Mai Nguyễn, who graduated with a Master of Business. Both delivered heartfelt speeches reflecting on their academic journeys and the support of their peers, tutors and families.

EIT Auckland offers a selection of programmes in business, computing and health science, including the Master of Applied Management, Master of Digital Business, Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Master of Information Technology, and Master of Health Science.

“Graduation is a special occasion not just for our students, but for everyone who has supported them along the way,” said Cherie. “We’re excited to see the impact our graduates will go on to make in their communities and industries.”

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

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Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

April 12, 2025

There was a strong sense of celebration in Napier today as 300 EIT students marked the end of their study journey.

Two ceremonies were held at the Napier Municipal Theatre on Friday (April 11), with whānau, friends and supporters gathering to mark the occasion. In total, EIT awarded 2,241 diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications to Hawke’s Bay-based learners who finished their studies last year.

The morning ceremony recognised graduates from the Centre for Veterinary Nursing, IDEAschool, Te Ūranga Waka, and the Schools of Education and Social Sciences, Primary Industries, Tourism and Hospitality, Trades and Technology, and Viticulture and Wine Science.

A graduation parade through Napier’s city centre followed, with students, staff, and supporters cheered on by the community.

In the afternoon, students from the Schools of Business, Computing, Health and Sport Science, and Nursing were celebrated.

Valedictorians Elijah Rogers and Kayla Hughes delivered heartfelt speeches reflecting on their time at EIT. Olympian Nigel Avery was the special guest speaker, and Tukituki MP Catherine Wedd was also in attendance.

EIT Interim Operations Lead Glen Harkness congratulated all those who graduated.

“It’s always a proud moment to see our students cross the stage. Graduation is the result of hard work, focus, and a real commitment to learning. Each of our graduates can feel proud of what they’ve achieved.”

He also acknowledged the role of EIT staff.

“Our lecturers and tutors are passionate about supporting student success. These ceremonies are a reflection of their dedication and the high-quality programmes we continue to offer across the board. We have no doubt that these graduates’ futures look bright.”

Graduation ceremonies were also held in March for EIT’s Tairāwhiti and Auckland students.

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Te Pāti Māori are appalled by Cabinet’s decision to agree to 15 recommendations to the Early Childhood Education (ECE) sector following the regulatory review by the Ministry of Regulation. We emphasise the need to prioritise tamariki Māori in Early Childhood Education, conducted by education experts- not economists.

“Our mokopuna deserve an education system shaped by their needs – and that must be led by the total immersion Māori education sector,” said Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for education, Tākuta Ferris.

“Research shows that a strong sense of identity is central to the success of tamariki Māori. Instead of defunding key programmes and continuing to allocate just 1% of total education funding to Māori education, the government should be investing in the Māori educational systems that are already delivering for our tamariki.

“A government that develops education policy within David Seymour’s cost-cutting Ministry, shows a clear disregard for the future of our tamariki Māori.”

“There is no table fit to make decisions about the education of mokopuna Māori without Kōhanga Reo and Te Rūnanga Nui o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori at it,” says Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for total immersion education.

“They are more equipped than any government body to know what our tamariki need – not just in the classroom, but for their future.

“The government must be held to account for its commitment to the recommendations made in Wai 2336. That means creating standalone legislation with policies specifically designed to support Māori education and to give whānau real, meaningful choices,” concluded Maipi-Clarke.

Te Pāti Māori remains resolute in protecting the mana and mauri of Kōhanga Reo by ensuring all policies and regulations uphold and advance its kaupapa as a taonga tuku iho for our babies and mokopuna.

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“It is unacceptable that struggling students can’t eat and pay their rent because they can’t access their student loan or allowance,” said Labour’s tertiary spokesperson Shanan Halbert.

“With unemployment rapidly increasing, Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds and Minister for Universities Shane Reti both should have known that enrolments would increase but failed to ensure that support systems were in place.

“Students are now halfway through the semester and more than 14,000 have not been paid their student allowance. This is appalling.

“We said that job cuts to the back office were going to mean more paperwork flowing through to the frontline. Our students are feeling the brunt of this today.

“With no update in sight about Te Pūkenga and university funding still on the line with no reassurances from either Minister, I worry they’re going to drop the ball on a sector that supports hundreds of thousands into work

“This is all in addition to a measly increase to the minimum wage which was well below inflation, power bills going up, and student loan interest rates increasing for those overseas.

“If we want our students to secure jobs, be in good health and have a place to live, we need to ensure our support systems are providing relief to those who need it now to achieve those things,” Shanan Halbert said.

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