Future Skills

Editors are celebrating the release of Issue 5 of Rere Āwhio – Journal of Applied Research & Practice in print.

The latest edition examines how technology-led change is shaped by the people, governance decisions, and ethical commitments behind the tools themselves.

Work is already underway on Issue 6, with the first articles expected to be published online this month, ahead of a print edition later this year.

To read current and past issues, or find information about submitting to the journal, visit: https://auckland.op.ac.nz/aicresearch/rereawhio

What does it take to build a career in technology, navigate challenges, and stay relevant in an AI-driven world? In this episode of the What's Up AIC Duos Season, Sangya Sapkota sat down with Dr Sonia Gul and Dr Asanthika Imbulpitiya, Information Technology lecturers at the Auckland International Campus, to explore their journeys through technology, academia, research, and education.

📺 YouTube: https://youtu.be/pmCHjZLepZg
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5yqWWEH6qpjnD8CSYubGxy?si=Y3NFORMWTDOg5s6ccbj8jQ

This week we came together for a special Learning Support dinner where we had the pleasure of celebrating our incredible group of Peer Tutors, who are the strands that weave together our Learning Support whānau. It was an evening filled with pride, gratitude and a few bittersweet farewells.

The role of a peer tutor goes beyond the academic support they provide, it’s about creating connection, building trust and confidence, and empowering fellow students to succeed. We are privileged to say that our peer tutors truly embody what success looks like as they consistently demonstrate dedication, generosity, leadership, and genuine commitment to helping others grow.

Read more: https://www.futureskills.co.nz/about/news-events/item/469

Auckland International Campus alumni returned to campus on the weekend for a reunion that brought graduates together to reconnect, share their experiences, and reflect on their journeys since leaving AIC.

The event was organised by Employability team members Dani Mao and Nicki Trueman and welcomed alumni working across a range of industries throughout New Zealand.

AIC student Dinakshi Perera says it was inspiring to see how much alumni had grown since graduation. She said graduates are now making their mark in sectors including technology, operations, business support, healthcare, insurance, and manufacturing.

Read more: https://www.futureskills.co.nz/about/news-events/item/468

Auckland International Campus Employability Specialist Nicki Trueman has been selected to present at a major international conference.

Nicki will present at the International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance (IAEVG) conference, which brings together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and educators to explore innovative approaches to educational, vocational, and career guidance.

The conference, themed Navigating the Future, will be held at the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland from 25 to 27 November.

Nicki’s presentation is titled From Global Talent to Local Opportunity: Strengthening Employability Outcomes for International Students in Aotearoa New Zealand. It will showcase AIC’s Placement Ready Programme (PRP) and its approach to embedding career development throughout the learner journey.

Read more: https://www.futureskills.co.nz/about/news-events/item/467

What does it take to go from master's student to researcher? In this episode of What’s Up AIC, host Sangya Sapkota sits down with Dr Jishuo (Jimmy) Sun and Chathurika Alwis to explore a journey shaped by mentorship, collaboration, and academic discovery.

Jimmy is a Senior Lecturer at Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus (AIC), researcher, mentor, and advocate for student-staff collaboration. Alongside him is Chathurika, a peer tutor and master's research student nearing the completion of her research journey, who has already contributed to academic research and presented at international conferences.

🎧 Listen now

▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/IGjBWrICaaU

🎙️ Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/aic-podcast/episodes/From-Student-to-Researcher--The-Research-Pathway-at-AIC-New-Zealand-Explained--Dr--Jimmy-Sun--Chathurika-Alwis-e3kfhig

The Smart Sustainable Development Conference (SSD) is back for 2026, bringing together researchers, academics, industry leaders, innovators, and sustainability practitioners from around the world.

Taking place as a hybrid event on 26 and 27 November 2026 at Unitec, Auckland, SSD 2026 offers opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share ideas with a global audience.

There are three ways to get involved:
- Submit research aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
- Showcase an innovative project and compete for cash prizes.
- Put your brand at the forefront of AI and sustainable development through sponsorship.

Whether you're advancing research, developing practical solutions, or supporting innovation, we'd love to hear from you. Submissions close 1 August 2026.

Learn more and get involved:
https://www.smartsust.org/

Master of Applied Management student Sw****ka Shrestha came to New Zealand in 2025 with the goal of building a better future through education, personal growth, and professional development.

Originally from Nepal, Sw****ka completed her bachelor's degree and worked for more than four years at NIC Asia Bank Limited, one of the country's most reputable banks, before moving to New Zealand.

She chose our Auckland International Campus because she was looking for an institution that offered practical learning, supportive lecturers, and a multicultural environment.

Read more: https://www.futureskills.co.nz/students/success-stories/story/87

Our Auckland International Campus Construction students had the opportunity to attend a guest lecture by Dr Sarah Holden, founder and director of Oxygen Consulting, this week.

Titled Building the Future: Climate Accountability in New Zealand's Construction Industry, the lecture explored climate accountability, carbon reduction, sustainability practices, and the environmental responsibilities of the construction sector.

Students gained insight into current industry challenges, regulatory requirements, and practical approaches to reducing carbon emissions in construction projects.

The session was engaging and interactive, with students contributing to discussions and asking thoughtful questions throughout.

Dr Holden's industry experience helped connect course concepts with real-world practice, giving students a deeper understanding of climate disclosure, sustainability, and carbon reduction practices in the construction industry.

The lecture was well-received and provided a valuable opportunity for students to hear directly from an industry expert.

A team of Auckland International Campus researchers has examined how remote working affects the psychological wellbeing of software professionals in New Zealand, finding that many experience positive outcomes alongside ongoing challenges. The study, recently published in the Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, was led by Applied Management Lecturer Jayani Dissanayake, with co-authors Dr Indrapriya Kularatne and Dr Olufemi Omisakin from the Applied Management team. Read more: https://www.futureskills.co.nz/about/news-events/item/462