Where talent meets opportunity
Auckland University of Technology’s summer programme for school leavers considering university has seen 200 young people from across Auckland benefit from a fees-free academic paper, engaging activities, and experiences to help them prepare for tertiary study.
This cohort of students has experienced three years of NCEA during a pandemic, making the need to provide opportunities to get more young people into tertiary education is greater than ever.
“UP23 is one of the ways AUT demonstrates we are a university where talent finds opportunity. It’s a privilege to work with rangatahi who realise the potential to change their lives through tertiary education and want to find out more,” said AUT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Damon Salesa.
Described by previous students as life-changing and ‘more than just a transition programme’ the UniPrep model sees a cohort of AUT student mentors collaborating with AUT staff to prepare students from around Auckland for university life.
Many UniPrep students are first-in-family to go to university and completing further education will be life-changing for them and their whānau. UP23 - the name for this year's event - makes the transition into university life stress free and fun. Students leave UniPrep equipped with the friendships, skills, and tools to journey on to fulfil their career aspirations.
The four-week programme held at AUT’s South Campus included:
- A level 5 credit-bearing literacy paper, Learning in a Digital World, delivered by AUT’s Te Ara Poutama teaching team, including lectures, tutorials and academic skills workshops
- 1:1 Course and careers counselling following NCEA results being released
- Engagement activities designed to develop friendships and help students navigate the university environment
- Sessions to understand pastoral and academic support at AUT
- Introductions to library services, counselling and other student experiences and opportunities