A total of 151 young scholars walked across the stage of the Christchurch Town Hall last night in the first ever Children’s University Canterbury Partnership graduation ceremony.
The Children’s University Canterbury Partnership programme is the first of its kind in New Zealand and is delivered by Lincoln University and the University of Canterbury (UC).
Children’s University Canterbury Partnership Chancellor Professor James McWha presented certificates to the graduates and welcomed distinguished guests including Lord Mayor of Adelaide Sandy Verschoor.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be presenting certificates to the first New Zealand group to graduate as part of this partnership. The interest in the programme has been overwhelming and we look forward to expanding the programme so more children across Canterbury can take part,” he said.
Lincoln Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Bruce McKenzie said the Canterbury Partnership allowed for plenty of learning variety.
“A student can visit the Art Gallery one day and explore crop science on one of Lincoln University’s farms the next day. For some students, this programme is the only way they will get to experience this type of learning.”
UC Vice-Chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey encouraged the young graduates to discover their potential, dream big and become excited about learning as a lifelong journey.
“The Children’s University encourages young people to take ownership of their learning journey, develop a positive attitude towards exploring different subjects and consider what tertiary options are available to them. Learning is a lifelong journey and this programme focuses young minds on a positive path to learning something from every activity they do and experience they have.”
The programme has learning locations across Christchurch that include the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Art Gallery, libraries and UC and Lincoln’s campuses to name a few.
Modelled on the Children’s University initiative launched in Adelaide, Australia, in 2006, the programme aims to inspire young minds to try a variety of different activities, develop a positive attitude towards lifelong learning and start to think about their future pathway into tertiary education.
Lord Mayor of Adelaide Sandy Verschoor was on hand to share in the celebrations and congratulate the first group of students to graduate from the Children’s University Canterbury Partnership.
In 2019, the programme’s first year, 192 Canterbury students from seven schools and one rūnanga enrolled in the Children’s University. The Children’s University plans to expand in 2020 to enrol 1000 students from 20-30 schools and rūnanga.
Community groups and businesses who would be interested in providing locations for activities or funding to expand the programme are encouraged to contact Amy Underdown on amy.underdown@canterbury.ac.nz to find out more.