MBA Graduation Makes History for Waikato-Tainui College

14 November 2013

MBA Graduation Makes History for Waikato-Tainui College for Research And Development

An historical milestone will be achieved for the Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development when its first cohort of students graduates later this month, with their Masters of Business Administration from the University of Waikato.

Nineteen students will receive their degree in front of whānau and invited guests on November 22 at a special graduation ceremony.

“This graduation marks the end of an academic journey for our graduates and in doing so, their successes are now an integral part of our history” said Dr Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai, the College’s Academic Director.

“Our Waikato MBA programme started in 2011 through the College’s Memorandum of Understanding with Waikato University. It is the first degree delivered by the College so this graduation is as much about our graduates’ success, as it is about celebrating another milestone for the College.”

The uniqueness of the MBA programme delivered at the College was recognised internationally when it was awarded the inaugural MBA Innovation Award from the London-based Association of MBAs (AMBA) in 2011.

The programme promotes indigenous ways of doing business, and combines academic teaching with traditional Māori ways of learning.

“The College was established by the late Sir Robert Te Kotahi Mahuta as an institute to build our leaders of the future, so we have high expectations of our graduates,” said Dr Tiakiwai.

“More importantly, we will continue to capitalise and diversify what we’ve achieved with the MBA to ensure it remains relevant and at the forefront of indigenous thinking.”

More than 300 guests are expected to attend the graduation ceremony, which will feature leading Māori academic Professor Sir Mason Durie as the guest speaker.

The MBA programme is delivered in partnership with the University of Waikato Management School. Graduation proceedings will be opened by Waikato Endowed Colleges Trust Chairperson John Heremia and Chancellor of the University of Waikato the Rt Hon Jim Bolger.

The ceremony will be held Friday 22 November from 12pm - 4pm at the Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development, Hopuhopu, 451 Old Taupiri Road, Ngāruawāhia.

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