AUT’s University Challenge team face Canterbury
On Saturday night a team of students representing AUT made their debut appearance on this year's University Challenge. The programme, which broadcasts on Prime TV, saw AUT up against University Challenge stalwarts, Canterbury University, in the last heat for our pool.
Questions presented by host Tom Conroy, whose production company revived University Challenge after a 25-year hiatus from New Zealand screens, covered classical music, New Zealand history, famous walks, maths equations, and popular culture.
The match up was immensely exciting with the teams battling it out toe to toe in their attempt to go forward in the contest. Ultimately Canterbury pipped AUT to the post with a score of 205 to 195 but there are many weeks of competition ahead, so stay tuned to see how AUT does this year. The final score is strictly embargoed, with the students sworn to secrecy.
Neil Porten (Law), Matt Funaki (PG Conservation, Hayley Wadmore (Communications), Nuala Lavin (Health Science) and Michael Bunn (Engineering with Honours) made up the AUT team this year. They were selected to represent the University after a competitive process which saw hundreds of students apply to take part.
The team had a great experience filming the show over a week in Wellington said Neil Porten.
“The university gave us wonderful support and encouragement throughout our preparation and during the competition. This gave us every chance to perform at our best. We were disappointed to lose this match, but keep watching to see how we get on in our other pool matches,” he said.
The final team was chosen from a University wide search that included emails to around 25,000 students inviting them to express interest. A further 800 students participated in a timed AUT Online quiz and around 100 students attended a series of heats at the AUSM Vesbar earlier this year.
The final 5 students were then supported by staff across the university and AUSM, refining their presentation and communication skills. The team also spent many hours studying in preparation for their big moment.
AUT Director of Special Initiatives Robert Bruce spearheaded the initiative to assemble this year’s University Challenge team and urged people to show their support.
“After seeing this first episode I feel AUT can be very proud of the performance of the team and therefore the way the team reflects on the University. I for one was thrilled at the confidence and speed with which they answered these difficult questions. I can’t wait to see the next episodes and hope all AUT staff and students get behind the competition by tuning in each Saturday night 6pm on Prime.”
At a small pre-screening event for the team and their families last week, team member Neil Porten thanked Katharine Hoskyn from AUT Business School who gave up considerable time to coach the team and join them in Wellington, as well as Jason Ashton from the AUT Library who prepared questions each week to test the students before their departure. He also acknowledged Urshula Ansell the AUSM President for her ‘ultimate cheerleading’; performance coach Maggie Eyre who gave the students presentation skills, and AUT Corporate co-ordinators Leonie Rawson and Rachel Cleary for their assistance and support throughout the programme. Mark Nothover and the CfLat team were acknowledged for their help in arranging the AUT Online competition and for assisting in training sessions.
University Challenge is broadcast on Prime TV on Saturdays at 6.00pm.