PVC Division of Education's Welcome
Tēnā koutou katoa
He waka eke noa ki anamata
Together we paddle our waka forward, navigating the future direction for and with people
This whakataukī encapsulates the purpose of the Division of Education and provides a strong framework for the teaching, research, professional learning and community engagement of Te Kura Toi Tangata (the School of Education), Te Whai Toi Tangata (the Institute of Professional Learning), and Poutama Pounamu. Our aim is to have people achieving the highest levels of learning, teaching, innovation, and research in education. We are a vibrant learning community with outstanding lecturers and researchers.
The University of Waikato has a long and proud history in education. It was the first Teacher’s Training College in New Zealand to merge with a university in 1991. It has had many innovative firsts, including early childhood qualifications, online initial teacher education, environmental education and education for sustainability. Te Kura Toi Tangata School of Education, offers a diverse range of educational opportunities, spanning initial teacher education in early childhood, primary and secondary teaching, counselling, Māori education, human development, adult and community education, leadership and management, and others, at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Te Whai Toi Tangata, the Institute for Professional Learning, builds on a long history of providing high quality professional learning opportunities across and beyond the education sector in New Zealand, working with educational leaders/tumuaki, teachers/kaiako and Kāhui Ako/professional learning communities. Poutama Pounamu offer a range of professional learning opportunities for teachers and the community. Poutama Pounamu’s focus is on supporting leaders, schools, and early childhood centres to work more effectively with whānau, tamariki mokopuna, and rangatahi Māori.
Our academic and professional staff are deeply committed to excellence in teaching and learning in all our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and professional learning opportunities and ensuring that our students and graduates are well equipped to make a difference to their communities. Our students have access to high quality teaching in a personalised learning environment. Our curriculum is often delivered through flexi mode, combining high quality online learning with face-to-face lectures, tutorials, workshops, excursions, and professional experience. In all our programmes, Te Tiriti o Waitangi is diligently upheld through a commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, sustainability, and social justice. As a result, our well-prepared graduates enjoy excellent employment outcomes.
We also achieve the highest level of excellence in research that has a reach nationally and internationally, pursues social justice, makes a difference to the communities we serve, and contributes to a better world. It is thought leading and impactful. In partnership with mana whenua, community, and professional groups, we undertake research that critically informs practice, policy, and theory. Our contributions to theory and research are reflected in our strong university rankings, citations, and international collaborations.
Whether you are a prospective or current student, staff member or fellow researcher, we welcome you to the Division and our shared pursuit of excellence in education.
Ngā manaakitanga
Professor Claire McLachlan
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education
Division of Education
The University of Waikato