Alexandra Wake Australia’s news landscape, and the ability of citizens to access quality journalism, has been dealt a major blow by the announcement the Australian Associated Press is closing, with the loss of 180 journalism jobs. Although AAP reporters and editors are generally not household names, the wire service has provided the backbone of news content for the country since 1935,…
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Covid-19 exposes the risk of chasing the student dollar
The deepening Covid-19 epidemic highlights the connectedness of our globalised world and its fragility. China is a critical junction in a vast system of supply and demand; New Zealand, a smaller node; but for both, this global interchange which has paid dividends for many years has become a source of anxiety and instability. A striking example of this delicate balance…
Read MoreNew think tank to promote credible, robust research
It will also combat misinformation, declining public trust Supplied Content (Edited) Countering the global rise of misinformation and declining public trust with robust research and evidence-based advice is the fundamental goal of a new think tank at the University of Auckland. The initiative, called, ‘Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures is an independent and apolitical established by Distinguished Professor…
Read MoreSome fast facts about baby fat and some misconceptions
Supplied Content The facts and fictions of baby fat have been revealed in the first-ever study of Aotearoa New Zealand new-borns body composition, including a surprise that could refocus early healthcare. Researchers in the Liggins Institute-led study used a special air displacement machine combined with tape-measurements and sensitive scales to determine the fat mass and fat-free mass (everything else) of…
Read MoreParliament approves creation of Skills and Technology Institute
New era for vocational education says Education Minister Venkat Raman Parliament passed the ‘Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Bill on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, which will see a major change in the vocational education as well as industrial training sectors. Education Minister Chris Hipkins described the move as ‘a major step forward in the government’s work to put…
Read MoreInspirational teachers receive Education Excellence Awards
Supplied Content (Edited) Six top teachers from early childhood, primary and secondary education sectors, including one of Indian origin, received the ASG National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) for their outstanding contributions. Education Minister Chris Hipkins presented the Awards at a ceremony held in the Great Hall of Parliament in Wellington on Friday, February 21, 2020. The event also marked…
Read MoreThe onus is on parents to prevent pornography reaching children
Governments have failed to translate thought into action Supplied Content Why don’t Western democratic governments typically regulate the porn industry, internet service providers (ISPs) or other internet services who make pornographic content accessible to children? How is a change in the idea of what it means to be a child feeding into anti-regulation policies? Dr Caroline Keen, who recently completed…
Read MoreEarn as you learn engineering degree launched
Venkat Raman Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) has launched a new way of delivering a degree qualification for engineers. Its Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree apprenticeship will enable students to remain employed while working towards their degree (Level 7) qualification. WelTec Construction and Engineering Head Neil McDonald said this is a first for New Zealand. “It is no secret that…
Read MoreText-Message Programme improves parenting skills
Dr Joanna Chu Could feeling more confident and connected parenting your teens be as simple as receiving text messages? World-first research from the University of Auckland suggests it can. A research team from the University’s School of Population Health has successfully trialled MyTeen, a world-first parenting programme for parents of children aged 10-15 years and delivered entirely via SMS text…
Read MoreERO wants sustained progress on Early Childhood Education
Supplied Content While the Education Review Office (ERO) has said that there ‘still a way to go,’ progress has been made on implementing the Te Whāriki curriculum across the early Childhood Education (ECE) Sector; Rainbow Corner Group Chief Executive said that efforts of the Group in delivering the curriculum are being acknowledged, and that the proposal is positive for the…
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