UCOL honours mark the start of 2013 academic year

5 March 2013

UCOL honours mark the start of 2013 academic year

Manawatu businessman Sir Pat Higgins, WORLD fashion designer and businesswoman Denise L’Estrange-Corbet and Whanganui eye health campaigner Mike Webber have been made Honorary Fellows of the Universal College of Learning (UCOL).

The UCOL Council Honours have been announced to mark the start of the 2013 academic year. They also include the award of Honorary Associate to the Chair of REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme) Aotearoa and former head of the Wairarapa Community Polytechnic, Jean McCombie, and an Institutional Medal to educationalist and past Principal of Awatapu College in Palmerston North, Tina Sims.

UCOL Council Chair Trevor Goodwin says Honorary Fellow awards are made for an outstanding and distinguished contribution to the wider community of which UCOL is a part; and an outstanding and distinguished contribution to society in general.

The Honorary Associate award marks a significant and distinguished contribution and the UCOL Institutional Medal is awarded for particularly meritorious service.

"The awards also reflect UCOL’s areas of specialisation – Trades and Technology, Creative programmes and Health and Science, and UCOL’s close connections with its communities,” Mr Goodwin said. “Each of the recipients of the 2013 awards also stands as a role model and inspiration to our students.

“These individuals have achieved success through hard work, excellence, commitment and innovation, and they have all made significant contributions to the community. These are values that UCOL respects and upholds, and seeks to foster in its students.”

Sir Pat Higgins KNZM is chairman and co-owner of family-led Manawatu company, the Higgins Group, a construction, roading and contracting company providing services throughout New Zealand, from its base in Palmerston North. Sir Pat and his family also support many local charities and organisations, including the Manfeild Park international motor racing circuit.

Denise L’Estrange-Corbet MNZM is the co-founder of fashion brand WORLD. She is a respected businesswoman, published author and international speaker, and is active in organisations such as the Breast Cancer Foundation, the Mental Health Foundation and the Starship Foundation. Denise is a supporter of fashion education and training at a number of institutions across the country, including spending time with UCOL’s own staff and students.

Mike Webber MNZM is a Whanganui optometrist who is regarded as a pioneer in eye care services. He helped establish the Wanganui Eye Care Trust which has raised funds for specialised eye equipment at Whanganui Hospital. He has been involved in establishing eye care services in countries such as Cambodia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. Awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2007, and named Rose Charities International Person for the Year in 2009, Mike Webber has an outstanding record of contributing to optometry and communities.

Jean McCombie: As Chief Executive of the former Wairarapa Community Polytechnic, Jean McCombie worked closely with UCOL to ensure the success of its merger with the polytechnic in 2001. As Chair of Wairarapa REAP (Rural Education Activities Programme) and of REAP Aotearoa, she continues an association with UCOL. Trevor Goodwin says her commitment to education in the Wairarapa region is longstanding and substantial.

Tina Sims was Principal of Awatapu College in Palmerston North for 10 years, until September 2012 and previously Deputy Principal at Palmerston North Girls’ High. She is now with the Ministry of Education as its chief adviser for the Youth Guarantee programme. Under her leadership, the school encouraged the entry of young people into trades, establishing its own trades academy.

Sir Pat Higgins will receive his award at the UCOL Palmerston North Graduation Ceremony starting at 10am on Tuesday 12 March at the Regent on Broadway. Tina Sims will receive her award at 2.30pm on the same day.

Mike Webber will receive his UCOL Honorary Award at the Whanganui UCOL Vocational Graduation Ceremony at 10.30am on Thursday 28 March at the Prince Edward Auditorium. Denise L’Estrange-Corbet will receive her UCOL Honorary Award at the Creative Graduation Ceremony on the same day at 1pm.

Jean McCombie’s award will be received on her behalf at the UCOL Wairarapa Graduation Ceremony at 1.30pm on Thursday 21 March at the Masterton Town Hall.

All are welcome to attend and celebrate these awards and the graduation of our students.

ENDS

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