We’re excited to share the latest updates from a lively November at Ako Aotearoa! This month has been filled with celebrations involving a wide range of amazing educators, and we invite you to meet the joint recipients of the Prime Minister's Educator of the Year award.
In this Ako alert update:
Website pick of free resources
Connecting with our community
Dyslexia-Friendly Quality Mark (DFQM) awards ceremony
2024 Prime Minister's Joint Educators of the Year
New research and innovation projects funded
International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) webinar video
Tapatoru Ako Professional Practice awards ceremony
Southern Hub Manager Jennifer Leahy was thrilled to attend Risingholme’s 80th anniversary, celebrating its establishment in 1944.
Risingholme, based in Opawa, Christchurch, is a not-for-profit organisation offering a range of adult and community-based courses focused on promoting community spirit and developing social, educational, and leisure activities.
Manako Principal Advisor attends International Women’s Caucus | Ministry for Women
Manako Principal Advisor, Vicky Beckwith, was invited to the International Women’s Caucus | Ministry for Women virtual meeting on 5 November, as part of the Rural Women NZ International Policy Action Advisory Group (PAAG).
Vicky contributed to PAAG's report for the UN on eliminating discrimination against women.
"This was a new experience for me and an incredible learning opportunity. It was a welcoming and inclusive space, where all people were valued, and discussion points were respected."
Join this upcoming award ceremony to celebrate organisations from across the country who have achieved the Dyslexia-Friendly Quality Mark (DFQM) in 2024.
Eastern Institute of Technology | Otago Polytechnic
The Prime Minister's Joint Educators of the Year were announced at the Te Whatu Kairangi Awards ceremony at Parliament earlier this month.
The ceremony celebrated 16 tertiary educators across four awards, General, Le Moana Mua, Kaupapa Māori and new to 2024, the Te Tohu Reo Māori award. Congratulations to all the awardees, and a huge thank you to Hon Penny Simmonds for hosting such an inclusive, heartwarming and uplifting event.
Videos covering the teaching practices of all the 2024 Te Whatu Kairangi awardees are now available on our website.
New research and innovation projects funded
This year, the AARIA Contestable Funding team received an exceptional number of proposals, with six selected for funding.
International Council for Open and Distance Education webinar video
More than 100 people attended the online webinar session with Torunn Gjelsvik, Secretary General of ICDE, Mark Nichols and Professor Giselle Byrnes on 18 October.
ICDE is also holding the 30th ICDE World Conference 2025 in Wellington, New Zealand, from 10 to 13 November 2025 and hosted by council members from Open Polytechnic and Massey University.
Tapatoru Ako Professional Practice awards ceremony
We congratulate the six organisations to receive their Tapatoru award for their outstanding commitment to staff professional development in support of learner success:
Blueprint for Learning
Hair to Train
Pacific Coast Technical Institute (PCTI)
Whitecliffe College
Te Mahi Ako
Skills Update.
Contact us to find out more about the Tapatoru Ako Professional Practice awards or visit our website.
Lecturer Matthew Dowman accepting the Award on behalf of Whitecliffe College
coming soon!
2025 professional development schedule
Ako Aotearoa, 119 Tasman Street, Mt Cook, Wellington 6021, New Zealand, 0800 692 566
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