New beginnings for AUT's postgraduate support
AUT’s University Postgraduate Centre (UPC) has a fresh new name and is now called the Graduate Research School (GRS).
It is envisaged that the new name, which came into effect at the start of 2017, will provide greater visibility to the specialist support available for AUT’s graduates.
Based at the university’s City Campus, the Graduate Research School has overall responsibility for the development and oversight of policies and procedures for postgraduate research programmes at AUT. The Researcher Development Unit is also located within the school.
The renaming aligns AUT more closely with other universities, both in New Zealand and internationally, that have graduate schools that develop and manage postgraduate research programmes and work with faculties on the quality of postgraduate provision.
Dean of the Graduate Research School, Professor Marion Jones said the change indicates a more institutionally visible profile for postgraduate research students.
“In the last decade, the university has experienced strong growth in postgraduate enrolments – in both taught and research programmes. This development makes a significant contribution to the reputation of the university as well as financially,” said Professor Marion Jones.
Though it has a new name, it will be business as usual, with the team continuing to provide the following services:
- Information and administrative services for prospective and current doctoral and Master of Philosophy students
- Respond to doctoral admission and progression enquiries
- Manage research examinations within all postgraduate programmes
- Keep students informed of seminars, forums, events and other activities via the postgraduate and doctoral networks
Along with all other services, the addition of Postgraduate Learning Advisors, a service added to the University Postgraduate Centre last year will continue in the centre’s new incarnation.