LINK November 2011

Schools Partnership Office | The

Epsom Girls on the case From the editor

Where did August to November go? Here we are at the tinselly end of the year and with just the juniors at school. We hope you will find our activities useful for them. We’ve created links in this edition to take you straight to our website (see page 3). And I’m sure you’ve noticed the ebook format. We’d love to know if you prefer this to a hard copy, so email me at [email protected] with a “Yes” I love the ebook or “No” I prefer hardcopy and be in to win a great University of Auckland prize. Email by 1 December 2011. Thank you to everyone for taking the time to complete reference forms, help with applications and generally working very hard on behalf of your students. We appreciate all the work you do. What a month October was for New Epsom Girls Grammar School winners with judges Brendon Potter and Christopher Jenkins from left: Zealand – well done to the All Blacks for Rose Zhang, Dinushi Hearth, Christina Yang and Thiandra Naidoo. not only lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy, but also lifting the spirits of the nation. For Epsom Girls Grammar School has clinched the and one reason why we’re one of the best is those of you whose spirits weren’t lifted, Secondary Schools Case Competition – held at because students are selected and trained early Christmas is coming … The University of Auckland’s for in their university career,” Jane says. the fourth year running – after being judged by a Have a lovely, relaxing Christmas holiday “This competition not only provides us with a panel of students and professionals as offering break. See you in 2012. talent pipeline for our representative programme, the ultimate management pitch. but is just as valuable in allowing students to Warm regards, Each team took a “case” – a document containing apply theoretical concepts they have learned in Sue and the team at SPO information about a company or organisation – class to real-life situations. They learn skills in and had to come up with a “solution” using teamwork, time management, analysis and analysis, financial justification and strategy to communication that would otherwise be hard to present to judges over ten minutes. come by in a solely classroom environment.” Twelve teams from across Auckland took part, In February the University placed first at the involving 44 students. Close behind Epsom Girls Marshall International Case Competition in was Sacred Heart College in second place and California, the largest competition on the Auckland International College in third place. international stage. The team members were Luke Bulling, Ashley Cornall, Rose He and Edvince Student organiser Jane Leung from the Business Hermanoche. Students can get involved in the School’s Management Consulting Club says the case competition programme by joining the annual event not only attracts and encourages Management Consulting Club from their first From all of us here at SPO, have a safe and new students to study at The University of year. happy Christmas. Auckland but aids current students as well. “The University of Auckland is a consistent performer at case competitions around the world,

LINK NEWSLETTER is published by Schools Partnership Office EDITOR: Sue Heggie Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142 Email: [email protected] www.auckland.ac.nz Design: Student Information and Marketing Services Link | November 2011 | 1 Spotlight on a subject Theology opens door to Islam

The School of Theology is launching a new course in 2012, which it hopes will attract students’ interest both in the Faculty of Arts and as a General Education option. Islam and the Contemporary World (Theology 106/106G) will provide an introduction to Islam as a living tradition within a global context, while paying particular attention to Muslim presence and experience in and . The course will provide an historical survey of Islam, including developments in Muslim theology, philosophy, and the interpretation of its sacred text, the Qur’an. There will also be a focus on contemporary themes relating to Islam, and students will be given the opportunity to engage with core questions such as: is Islam compatible with democracy? What is the position of women in Islam? Is Islamic law practicable? How should the Qur’an be interpreted? One of the designers and teachers of this fascinating new course is Zain Ali, Head of the Islamic Studies Research Unit at The University of Auckland. Zain’s primary interests are in Islamic studies and the philosophy of religion, in particular, Muslim responses to religious diversity. He predicts that the course will be of great interest to students, given the recent levels of interest in Islam within both academic and public domains and the diversity of competing perspectives that often surround this religious tradition. Moreover, he believes that the study of Islamic cultures and societies is “an important component of any internationally recognised university, given their contribution to world civilization, historical prominence, and involvement in contemporary global politics”. Zain will be teaching Islam and the Contemporary World along with Clare Wilde from the Department of Sociology, who has also been involved in the course’s design and content. Spotlight on AskAuckland AskAuckland has answers to frequently asked questions. Get quick responses to questions like “How do I apply for cross credit for that course I did at University in Year 13?” and “How do I calculate my rank score for University admission?” Just visit www.askauckland.ac.nz. Enter and win Send Sue an AskAuckland question and answer and you will be in the draw to receive a very nice University of Auckland sports bag, sweat shirt or t-shirt. [email protected]. Closes 1 December 2011. See the prize here http://bit.ly/v4BeN8 Targeted learning

We’ve got some great Year Nine and Ten careers- oriented lessons for younger students. Check them out here: www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/lesson-plans Facebook us!

Have you joined one or all of our Facebook pages yet? www.facebook.com/AkldUni4Schools www.youtube.com/AkldUni4Schools Student Blog Why students should incorporate www.auckland.ac.nz/theinsideword For Career Advisers www.auckland.ac.nz/link Maths into their BSc We’d love to have you like us!

Both NIWA and the Ministry of Fisheries have a glut of biology graduates with inadequate long been frustrated by the paucity of biology quantitative skills who may have difficulty landing Young Scholars and ecology graduates with sound quantitative jobs in their field. skills. Programme In an attempt to rectify this situation, six years Over the past few years, the Ministry has had ago they instituted a postgraduate scholarship We have a selection of exciting and stimulating Stage I one or two “stepping-stone” positions where they for MSc and PhD candidates who were willing courses for Year 13 students. If they have have advertised for new BSc, BSc Hons, or MSc and able to do a degree in quantitative fisheries. demonstrated exceptional academic ability they will graduates to act as junior scientists for a period Even though the scholarships were quite have the opportunity to be challenged and extended at of a year or two. The job involves quite a bit of generous (up to $25,000 per year for a masters a world-class, research-led university with the very best mundane work, but they also make sure they are and up to $30,000 per year for a PhD), they had teachers and resources. provided with opportunities to seek out their very few applicants each year, and even fewer Enrolling provides some great opportunities: strengths and interests and, most importantly, suitable ones. they give them work experience that helps them • A taste of University life and familiarity with the In order to potentially increase the number of in the next phase of their careers. They don’t university before they begin their degree. suitable applicants, three years ago they advertise widely and generally only keep the instituted an undergraduate scholarship for the • A head start with their degree as these courses can advertisement open for a week or two but, even final year of a double major or honours degree in be credited towards a degree at University. so, will routinely get 80 or so responses. marine biology and statistics or similar. This • Exposure to a different kind of teaching through Given that quantitative skills are essential for scholarship pays $5,000 for the year. lectures and tutorials. fisheries science (and many other areas of Dr Pamela Mace, Chief Scientist, Fisheries says, “I biology), they sift through the applications • Friendship with other like-minded secondary school have good evidence that graduates with strong seeking evidence of such. It is extremely rare students. statistics and quantitative skills have a wide that they ever find even a single applicant of the diversity of opportunities both in New Zealand We recommend Semester One study, rather than 80 with adequate quantitative skills. But if they and overseas, while those without have limited Semester Two, so it doesn’t interfere with preparation do, that person is likely to be a shoe-in for the scope for landing a job in their field – unless they for final external school examinations. position. More commonly, they select someone return to study or take on-the-job training to who has one or two statistics or mathematics or To apply, students should contact their school Head of rectify the situation. Regarding the latter, if there computer science courses for interview and then Department and ask about the Young Scholars is little or no evidence of quantitative skills, most try to assess whether they can give them Programme. employers may be unwilling to take the risk that on-the-job training to make up at least part of the on-the-job training will be adequate.” deficit. They don’t know what happens to the www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/fu-young-scholars-programme other applicants but experience suggests there is Spotlight on the Bachelor of Technology in Biotechnology

Biotechnology leads the way for dynamic science career

By Ipshita Mandal, BTech (Hons) in Biotechnology graduate Biological and Chemical Sciences. I set about developing a surface that repels the formation of bacterial biofilms by chemically attaching an Imagine completing one of the most competitive and sought-after degrees anti-microbial protein to an artificial surface. My research project not only from New Zealand’s top university, then standing at the crossroads of sparked my intellectual thinking and ability to collaborate with leading diverse and in-demand careers in the life sciences industry. experts, but also gave me amazing opportunities such as going to the Careers that range the breadth of the life sciences industry, from becoming Australian nuclear reactor to perform surface study experiments. a leading scientific investigator to starting up your very own biotechnology The true impact of a successful BTech degree, however, lies not only in company. succeeding academically but also in networking with peers and industry The Bachelor of Technology in Biotechnology is truly a world-class through extra-curricular activities. The University of Auckland offers such programme regarded highly in both industry and academic institutions platforms both on a national and international level. In my second year, I across countries. had the opportunity to go on a Student Abroad 360° exchange to the National University of . On a national level, getting involved and I graduated from the BTech programme in 2011 with the “Senior Scholar in leading student organisations such as Chiasma have made a big difference Biotechnology” award. I am now undertaking a PhD in Bioscience to my attitude and aspirations towards my career. Chiasma connects Engineering from the University of Cambridge funded by a joint students to the wider industry through events, programmes and workshops International Doctoral Scholarship and Prince of Wales Commonwealth that develop them as professionals in the life sciences industry. I have been Scholarship. Opportunities that were available and capitalised over the four involved with Chiasma over the last four years, and gained significant years of my degree have had a significant influence on the options that leadership experience as well as connections. opened up for me post-graduation. The BTech degree is one of the few programmes that develop graduates/ The degree provides a strong foundation of scientific learning and research. leaders for the thriving science industry. It is truly a degree for the future; a I especially enjoyed the broad base of learning from microbiology, degree I wouldn’t think twice before recommending to anyone. As for my molecular biology and biochemistry to genetics. I appreciated advanced personal future aspirations, I envision leading this zeal for biotechnology studies in these diverse fields as it aided my development of a through the biotech revolution developing in the Asia-Pacific. I am multidisciplinary honours research project. For the project, I had the passionate in doing this through scientific research, commercialisation and privilege of working on breakthrough research across the Schools of government policy in the high-tech sector.