Record number of midwifery graduates
It’s time for celebration at the Midwifery department at AUT with the largest-ever cohort of midwifery students graduating this year.
For the first time ever more than 100 students will graduate, with 16 Māori and 13 Pasifika students in the 106 total.
This cohort is part of the largest ever across the motu to qualify with in excess of 240 new midwives available to begin working in 2025 in Aotearoa.
They were recognised at a Transcript Ceremony recently held on South Campus.
The ceremony is an informal moment to share in the celebration of the students completing their degree, says Michele Lomax, lecturer in midwifery and Year 4 course coordinator.
“They are given a copy of the transcript that is sent to Midwifery Council to confirm their readiness to become a registered midwife.
“It is a time they can bring many of their whānau that cannot make the formal graduation. We had a larger turnout than expected and they all enjoyed their morning.”
The ceremony marks the end of a tough few years for many of the students.
“Our Year 4 students have worked incredibly hard, facing many challenges - including starting during COVID-19 - and we are celebrating accordingly,” Michele says.
“Midwifery is one of the areas of healthcare challenged by a reduced workforce.
“We work very hard to provide as many new graduates as possible each year and this is the best yet.”