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School of Optometry and Vision Science

Keep up to date with all the latest news and information from the School of Optometry and Vision Science.

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

Head of School message

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

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

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...

Master of Science graduate – ocular prosthetics

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

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

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...

HRC Emerging Researcher First Grant

HRC Emerging Researcher First Grant

Congratulations to Dr Rebecca Findlay, who, with support from Jo Black, Jason Turuwhenua, Claudia Rivera (Science), Nina Hood (Education and Social Work), and Misty Edmonds (Iwi United Engaged), has won a prestigious HRC Emerging Researcher First Grant. These highly...

Staffing Update – May

Staffing Update – May

Congratulations go to two parents this month: 1) To Renita Martis on the birth of her baby (Phoebe, born Thursday 11 May) 2) To Robert Ng on the birth of his baby (Nathan, born Friday 12 May) This month we are also very pleased to welcome two new key staff members:...

Staffing update – March

Staffing update – March

We welcomed the following people to the school in the last few weeks: Emily Benefer – PTF Dispensing Optician on Wednesday and Thursday on the Vision Bus Aotearoa Donald Crichton – returning to role as Dispensing Technician to cover for Emily in the clinic Alehandrea...

Part V Workshop Week 2023

Part V Workshop Week 2023

Photo: Part 5 Optometry student James Hwang measuring peripheral visual fields on Camille Guy. Each year new Part V students participate in a range of specialist workshops which have been spread out through the first semester. In 2023 for the first time these...