Student innovation skills recognised with Distinguished Graduate Awards

24 October 2023

Nearly two dozen student participants of the Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) have had their newly acquired skills and extra-curricular work recognised with a University of Auckland Distinguished Graduate Award.  Award recipients received their certificate at a recent celebration event held at the Fale Pasifika.

The Distinguished Graduate Award is the ultimate achievement from the Co-Curricular Recognition Programme delivered by Waipapa Taumata Rau I the University of Auckland. To be eligible for a Distinguished Graduate Award, students have to complete co-curricular activities of their choice. They can select two of four possible paths to follow: Community Engagement, Leadership, Global Citizens and Innovation. Each path includes eligible activities amounting to 40 hours, a workshop and a written reflection. After the completion of two pathways, students attend a Distinguished Graduate workshop and are interviewed by a panel member before receiving a University of Auckland Distinguished Graduate Award which is formally recognised on their academic transcript.

Staff at CIE have contributed to Campus Life’s Co-Curricular Recognition Programme through administering a range of opportunities. These include the Velocity organising committee, technology training held at CIE’s innovation hubs and participation in programmes such as Velocity, Venture Lab and Summer Lab.

With over 85,000 hours of co-curricular and volunteer involvement officially recognised since the programme’s inception in 2020, and more than 50 verified activities on campus, students have developed their capabilities, supported great causes and given back to the community.

Student Engagement Coordinator, Chanelle Clinton commented, “The Co-Curricular Recognition Programme is an important part of recognising the incredible impact our students have, volunteering their time both within the University and in their wider communities. We are continuously increasing the number of eligible activities to reflect the diverse contributions the students make. It is a privilege to see and celebrate all the wonderful work they do.”

Congratulations CIE award recipients!

Agustin Soto

Alice Zhou

Chayanitt Chanel Poomphuang

Darren  Zhang

Deborah Peter

Devanshi Ranjan

Emma Absari

Francesca Long

Gavin Ma

Gene Tang

HenissaTong

John Song

Kesaki   Somal

Mercury Lin

Minahil Rizwan

Prenika Singh

Raunaq (Ron) Bansal

Ruby Chen

Sarina Todd

Sasha Rodenko

Shiqing Xiao

Vincent Xiao

Yu-Ching Lin