Head of School message
As 2024 comes to a close, it is again time to reflect on the memorable achievements of the school’s staff and students during the year. I recently had the pleasure of attending the faculty’s December ceremony at which the 2024 Bachelor of Optometry class and two of the school’s recent PhD students graduated. Such occasions highlight the ongoing excellent efforts of all the staff of the school and associated Optometry Clinic in teaching and research throughout the year.
The year also saw the school undergo a 10-yearly Academic Review by the University that looks at all aspects of the functions of the school, including undergraduate and graduate programmes, as well as research outputs, both in terms of grant awards and publications. The review requires production of a comprehensive and extensive written submission, as well as a series of interviews by the Review Panel. I would like to thank all staff and students who contributed to the overall success of the review, and the positive feedback that the school received from the Panel.
I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the all of the staff of the school, professional, technical, clinical and academic, for their hard work and excellent efforts that support the ongoing success of the School of Optometry and Vision Science.
I hope that you all take the opportunity of the upcoming holiday period to rest and make time for yourself and your friends and whānau, and enjoy the season.
Ehara taku toa I te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini – success is not mine alone, it is the success of the collective.
Noho ora mai
Dr Andrew Collins
Head, School of Optometry and Vision Science
Other highlights and achievements
The school is undergoing the standard 10-yearly Academic Review; a lot of mahi went into preparing a portfolio reporting on all aspects of the school’s activities. The school gratefully acknowledges a bequest by the estate of Jocelyn Shackleton, given to support...
FMHS Teaching & Learning Showcase
Photo: items associated with the event On Thursday 31 October, the Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences held a Teaching & Learning Showcase to share new learnings, best practice, and creative ideas. Professional Teaching Fellows Bhavna Patel and Melinda...
NZ Indian Central Youth Association Careers Expo
Photo: Optometry profession representatives at the Expo (from left to right: Bhavna and Jaishree speaking with a student, with poster of PhD Student Aan Chu in the background) The New Zealand Indian Central Youth Association proudly hosted its inaugural Careers Expo...
Media mentions
Members of the school have lent their expertise and commentary on topics related to vision. Some items which may be of interest are: Spinoff article: “Staring down the ‘silent epidemic’ of myopia in children”...
Head of School message
As 2024 comes to a close, it is again time to reflect on the memorable achievements of the school’s staff and students during the year. I recently had the pleasure of attending the faculty’s December ceremony at which the 2024 Bachelor of Optometry class and two of...
2024 Staffing updates
This year has seen a number of staff and student changes including: Congratulations to Veeran and Roxanne on the birth of their second child, Freya, on 26 January. PTFs Sachi Rathod and Germaine Joblin joined the Vision Bus Aotearoa team to cover Veeran on parental...
Head of School Message – end of year
As I write this final post of the year, it is fine and sunny outside, which is an excellent way to end the year which for many started on a less pleasant meteorological note with the widespread flooding associated with the Auckland Anniversary Weekend storm followed...
Karu Ora – An indigenous approach to eye health to achieve equitable outcomes
Congratulations to Renata Watene and Associate Professor Jacqui Ramke, who (along with Associate Professor Matire Harwood and Dr Braden Te Ao), have been awarded $265,000 by the Health Research Council to carry out a novel research project aimed at improving Māori eye...
Master of Science graduate – ocular prosthetics
Photo: Assoc Prof Rob Jacobs, Kathleeya Stang-Veldhouse, and Dr Keith Pine Congratulations to Dr Kathleeya Stang-Veldhouse (Kat), an ophthalmologist with a specialty in oculoplastics, who completed her Master of Science thesis early this year under the supervision of...
HealtheX 2023
Photo: Paul Idowu, winner of the Poster Presentation First Runner Up Award The Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences hosted the 17th annual HealtheX conference on 8 September 2023. This is a student-led conference which showcases oral presentations, poster...
Year 13 Koneferensisi & Clinical Discovery Expo
On Friday 23 June, the Grafton Atrium successfully hosted the first Year 13 Health Academies Conference and Clinical Discovery Expo targeted at schools’ "Health Science Academies” programme, which is currently administered by Te Whatu Ora in partnership with key...
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference keynote presentation
Renata Watene provided a keynote presentation at the prestigious National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference, which was held in May 2023 in Dharug Country, Parramatta, based on her renowned work in indigenous eye health in Aotearoa. Renata is...