University of Waikato Chancellor, Sir Anand Satyanand, has concluded his term and is passing the mantle to respected education leader, Susan Hassall.
Sir Anand has led the University Council in this role since 2019, and during his tenure was supported by Pro-Chancellor Susan Hassall, who has now been elected as the University’s new Chancellor from 1 July.
L-R: Professor Neil Quigley, Sir Anand Satyanand and Susan Hassall, pictured together at Sir Anand's farewell dinner.
A former Headmaster of Hamilton Boys’ High School of 25 years, Mrs Hassall has held the role of Pro-Chancellor of the University of Waikato for the past eight years and has been a member on the University Council for the past nine.
As Sir Anand reflects on his time as Chancellor, he says he has found the role to be both absorbing and rewarding.
“My period as Chancellor hasn’t been without its challenges with the University responding to, and then recovering from, the pandemic, but it has been a privilege to see the leadership and staff rise to these challenges and enter a new era,” he says.
He's particularly proud to be leaving the role in a year when the University has seen a record number of students enrolling, cementing the University as an attractive brand in the domestic market and internationally.
He says highlights of his time as Chancellor include major initiatives such as the expansion of the Tauranga campus, the development of The Pā, and the University’s 60th anniversary last year.
Now a multi award-winning facility, Sir Anand says The Pā has transformed the way in which students, staff and the wider community relate to the University.
“It has been a pleasure to see The Pā become the heartbeat of campus life, as well as the way it welcomes the wider community for key events including graduation, and the connections that are made back to the University with it being a sought-after venue used by alumni, business, industry and schools.”
Sir Anand is confident of the direction the University is heading in under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley, alongside Mrs Hassall as Chancellor.
“Susan and Neil have worked closely together for many years, and she is well placed to take over the Chancellorship. She is passionate about education and about the University and has a natural capacity to engage and lead people."
As for finally putting his feet up, Sir Anand thinks it’s unlikely.
"I'm one of those people who has reached these way points, where the time in front looks as though it will be more of a wind down phase, but I always have had requests made for involvement in different initiatives. So, I think I'm one of those people who will never fully retire in the old-fashioned sense - I'll always continue to do things that are sensible within my capacity.”
Mrs Hassall is looking forward to taking on the new role.
“I never anticipated that I'd ever have the opportunity to be Chancellor and so when it was suggested that I apply and then went through an interview process, I felt very grateful to the Council for offering me this opportunity.”
Since retiring last year as Headmaster at Hamilton Boys’ High School, she has spent the past 10 months as CEO for Hospice Waikato, alongside her role on the University Council.
“It was hard to leave [Hamilton Boys’] in many ways, but it was the right time. So being involved in the University is wonderful, because it means I can continue to feel passionate about education.”
Mrs Hassall is looking forward to continuing to work with Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley, and the wider Council.
“I've seen the impact he's had strengthening the University to be one of the best in New Zealand. It's been a genuine pleasure to be involved and experience the University from both sides. I now have a strong understanding of the way the University operates, as well as what prospective students want when choosing the next step in their education.”
As for what Mrs Hassall wants to achieve as Chancellor, it’s “to make sure there is a steady ship as the University moves forward over the next few years”.
“I think that Covid had a real impact on secondary schools and tertiary, so that we need to maintain that sense of confidence and that sense of being aware of what the needs are for our students in difficult times.”
There is a special aspect of the Chancellor’s role, not just chairing Council meetings, that Mrs Hassall is also looking forward to being part of.
"I love graduations, so that's a very special part of the role that I'm looking forward to. I've already attended some of the graduations in my role as Pro-Chancellor and it's something I find so rewarding.
“I love being part of celebrating such a momentous occasion for our students, as well as seeing the students from Boys’ High coming through and heading onto the next stage in their lives.”
