University of Waikato
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University of Waikato |
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| Motto | Ko te tangata (The people) |
| Established | 1964 |
| Type | Public |
| Chancellor | Jim Bolger, ONZ |
| Vice-Chancellor | Roy Crawford |
| Students | 14,023 total (2004) |
| Location | Hamilton, New Zealand |
| Website | www.waikato.ac.nz |
The University of Waikato is located in Hamilton and Tauranga, New Zealand, and was established in 1964. It has strengths across a broad range of subject areas, particularly its degrees in Computer Science and in Management. Its School of Māori and Pacific Development is acknowledged as the world centre for study in this subject area.
In 2002 over 14,000 students were enrolled at the university. More than a quarter of students were aged over 25, and over half were women. It has the highest proportion of Māori students on any campus in New Zealand. The Māori character of the campus is an important aspect of its overall identity.
The University of Waikato in Hamilton is spread over 0.67 km² (170 acres) of landscaped park-like grounds, and includes extensive sporting and recreational areas surrounding three ornamental lakes. Many sporting and cultural groups are active on campus, including various international students' clubs. The university provides study facilities including modern lecture rooms and laboratories, a library of over 1,000,000 volumes, and an extensive computer network with over 800 terminals.
The University of Waikato at Tauranga (formerly Tauranga University College) offers 150 papers.
The university consists of seven Schools of Studies (Faculties).
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Waikato Management School
- School of Education
- School of Science and Engineering
- School of Computing and Mathematical Science
- School of Law
- School of Māori and Pacific Development
These schools offer undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate degrees in their respective subject areas.
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[edit] Research
The university's research involvement is varied, and it is noted for research in the management disciplines of Accounting, Finance and Human Resource Management; Computer Science, Mathematics, Science (particularly in the biological sciences and chemistry), Education and the Social Sciences.
The University has many research facilities, including
- Management Research Centre
- Technology Management and Innovation Unit
- Centre for Labour and Trade Union Studies
- Carbon Dating Unit
- Honey Research Unit
- Thermophile Research Unit
- Antarctic Research Unit
- International Global Change Institute
Research is further reinforced by close contact between the University and commercial or governmental research facilities located on or adjacent to the campus. Significant among them are the Ruakura Research Centre (the largest agricultural and horticultural research facility in the Southern Hemisphere), Landcare, National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA Ecosystems), and the Institute of Professional Legal Studies.
Cementing the University's role as a key New Zealand research institute is UNILink, the University's own consulting division, dedicated to national and international sourcing of commercial research contracts. As a result the University attracts the highest percentage of research income in proportion to its student population of any university in New Zealand.
[edit] Particular strengths
The School of Māori and Pacific Development is almost certainly the leading centre of academic study of things Māori. Similarly, the law school is a leading centre for research into the Treaty of Waitangi. Because of the youth of the university the library's holdings are relatively undeveloped, but there are significantly holdings of Tainui taonga.
The Computer Science department is particularly strong, with research groups in networking, machine learning, digital libraries, Formal methods for Software Engineering and usability.
The university is co-located with Ruakura, a center for research in the primary industries.
Due to the proximity of the Waikato River and Lake Karapiro the university has excellent rowing teams and competes against University of Oxford and University of Cambridge in alternating years on the Waikato River in The Great Race.
[edit] Performance Based Research Fund Rankings
Performance Based Research Fund rankings are used to help rate different Universities in New Zealand. The 2003 evaluation found Waikato to be fifth out of New Zealand's eight universities.
In 2004 the University came first in:
- Pure and Applied Mathematics, score 5.7
- Chemistry, 5.1
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Information Sciences, 4.7
- Molecular, Cellular and Whole Organism Biology, 4.2
- Communications, Journalism and Media Studies, 3.8
- Management, Human Resources, Industrial Relations, International Business and Other Business, 3.4
- Accounting and Finance. 2.8
[edit] Academic year
The academic year runs from March to November. It is divided into two semesters by a four-week study break in June/July. Most schools within the University offer a mid-year intake so it is possible to enroll in the March-June or the July-November semesters, as well as in the year-long program. Summer School is available for many courses and allows students to accelerate the completion of their degree. The International MBA is taught over one year and begins in July.
[edit] International students
Waikato has a strong commitment to attracting international students. In 2002 the University had over 1500 international students from more than 60 different countries, particularly from the Pacific Rim and Asia regions. There are also a growing number of students from diverse places such as Nepal, Eritrea, Mongolia, Ukraine, and various African countries. Many international students start at Waikato by enrolling in a one-year Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies. This prepares students from a non-English background for university study in New Zealand. Courses in English for students from non English speaking backgrounds are also offered through the University of Waikato Language Institute.
The University has approximately 1000 places in accommodation available for students, a number of which are set aside specifically for international students. Many students choose to stay in the University Halls of Residence during their first year, and then move into a student flat (private rental accommodation) in subsequent years. Hamilton is an inexpensive city to live in for students on a limited budget.
[edit] Post Graduate Student Association
The Post Graduate Student Association was a development that come about as a need in the performance Based Research Funding (PBRF) environment. The group of students looked after the Masters and PhD students interest and had Dr Peter Hodder as a contact person appointed by Professor Richard Bedford at the time Pro Vice Chancellor Academic. Past presidents of the PGSA are 2002-2004 Gareth, 2004-2005 Roddy Young, 2005- Caroline. The outline of PGSA activities are here.
[edit] Waikato University Alumni
The Waikato University Alumni is made up of past students at Waikato University and staff. The numbers of Alumni have steadly built from 1964 to number around 100,000. Seen as an important part of the development on the university the Alumni is looking at new ways to be more interactive with the Alumni members.
[edit] Other Notable features
The University rowing team is particularly strong. In 2002 the university started challenging a rowing team from another university to compete against it in the Great Race for the Harry Mahon Memorial Trophy. This has become an important annual event in Hamilton.
| 2002 | Waikato vs Cambridge University | Won by Waikato |
| 2003 | Waikato vs Oxford University | Won by Waikato |
| 2004 | Waikato vs Cambridge University | Won by Cambridge |
| 2005 | Waikato vs Washington State University | Won by Waikato |
| 2006 | Waikato vs Cambridge University | Won by Waikato |
[edit] Sites
The University of Waikato is located on many different sites
- Main Hamilton Campus, on Knighton Road
- Tauranga Campus, on Durham Street
- Ruakura Satellite Campus, off Ruakura Road
- University of Waikato Addresses
[edit] Scientific Instrumentation
The University has a large number of instruments available to assist research. These include
- A 300 MHz and a 400 Hz NMR
- A MALDI
- ESMS
- GCMS
- Malvern Mastersizer and Zetasizer
- Waters HPLC
- Tensile testers
- Viscometers
- ICP-OES
- AA
- X-ray diffraction equipment
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with EDAX
- Liquid nitrogen, for University use only
Some instruments are available for hire to external users
- Chemical Services Unit
- Biological Services
- Earth Science Commercial Services
- Physics and Electronic Engineering Services
- Materials and Process Engineering Equipment
