The University of Auckland — Attraction in Waitematā

Prospective students should avoid this university at all costs. The only reason someone would come to this university is (1) living in Auckland and has strong reasons to stay with family (2) postgraduates that found a very good supervisor for their masters or doctorate degree with plentiful funding in their field. As an unfortunate alumni, I wish to pass my experience to those who have yet to decide so they can steer clear. I sincerely want you to think thoroughly, for your physical and mental wellbeing, and your future careers.

(1) Entrenched institutional racism. Any admission processes that involve interviews e.g. especially and particularly MBChB, are a black-box operation that are ulteriorly designed to achieve a political purpose, to purely undermine academic meritocracy and unlawfully discriminate. In a private institution, 100% through private donations or trusts, it is okay, it is not the public purse. But last I checked, at least a third of the funding are through Government as tuition grants, meaning taxpayer money are involved. If it is funded by the taxpayer, then shouldn't it be subjected strictly to the Bill of Rights, that embed the principles of equality and freedom from discrimination, for all individuals of New Zealand. And to ensure this, all processes need to be transparent, recorded thoroughly for regular external audits and applicants have the right to appeal, including to a third party adjudicant. Every University official involved in the processes needed to be vetted, tested for cultural competency and conflict of interests. Admission panels as a group need to be vetted to ensure that its composition and any conflict of interests does not disadvantage the applicant.

Unfortunately, University of Auckland does everything contrary to this. Interviews claims to be objective, but cannot safeguard against subjectivity. No passage for appeal of decisions, particularly interviews. No record of interviews kept for audits. No audits of admission processes from third-party or the public.

How can the University of Auckland defend itself from accusations of trying to manipulate and achieve a racial quota in yearly intake cohorts, to mimic the racial makeup of the nation? It can deny this but why not conduct some fair research? Isn't it simple to compare the cohort makeups: composition of those that would purely be admitted by their own merits without external influences (e.g. third party aptitude tests and grades) vs. composition of those that are admitted after taken into account of these admission interviews - compare the racial makeups, then make an evidence based conclusion about what is happening. Why would you pay expensive tuition only to be treated contrary to the spirit of the Bill of Rights. You can work hard day and night, but because a black-box operation, left you empty handed, cheated and disgusted.

(2) Arbitrary. Grading and marking are arbitrary based on the whims of your lecturers, your course supervisors. They can be as easy or as harsh as they like and nothing you can do about it. And again, you cannot appeal, even if you believe there is a mistake and can justify it. If you are trying for honours, this can make a huge difference on your future academic pathways. The University does not care because you are only a cash cow, that comes and goes, depletes and replenishes every year with new students. So choose an institution that is reputable and fair, not arbitrary and indifferent. Your hard work merit better treatment and better recognition.

(3) Fluctuating quality of lectures and poor tuition system. Unlike some reputable universities, there is poor academic tuition support at University of Auckland so by the time of examination, you wouldn't be prepared as to what is to be tested and just have to accept your arbitrary marks and grades. Remember, you are only a cash cow, contributing to university maintenance, research fund and the vice-chancellor's residence. Quality of teaching and your wellbeing is never and will not...

Maybe actually released the grades in time once before you strike for overwork and underpaid, if any of the teachers say I never delayed my grade release the whole time, you have the right to say.

However, none of you do release the grades in time once in my two year of study. There is not even such thing as grade release due date. The teachers only know how to put requirements to students and put lots of pressure on them but never look back to themselves.

If the strike means overwork and underpaid you can definitely check how many people work 60 hours a week with no holiday. The teachers work 40 hours per week with freaking lots of holidays, all lectures material are from last year and they said they overworked? excuse you? I worked harder in my last semester than some of the lecturers do. I got hypertension and other disease while studying my masters and where and what are they doing? If the teachers think they are underpaid, they can leave to find another good job, why not? there are more two universities in Auckland. Maybe just leave or seek some good opportunities and fantastic money in US.

All these lecturers who start the strike, have they thought about students at all? do they understand some of the students may need the grades to apply jobs and visas? These lecturers are far more than some greedy and selfish. If the actions are related to university, why you have to drag students into it? None of these people deserve any pay rise at all for such characterics. When the lecturers say tehy will delay the grades, do they understand the grade is actually the property belongs to student? do they understand such behaviour is illegally embezzlement of private property to students?

No they don't. Not even say the mental health status and physical health, I am having hypertension and associated disease during the time of studying which I never have living in New Zealand for 4 years.

Issues such as wrong numbers in their website, stuff are not respectful, never reply emails, not responding email until next week are just even little issue now. I just replied one of the lecturers on Tuesday and no reply still, and this is called overworking? maybe shut the mouth and study typing now. Like a proper working person. I worked in the industry as well and always work over time and not complain this at all. If you cannot finish work on time, you should over time because your ability is not enough to the amount of work you are handling.

Being teachers in this uni are too easy to certain teachers that is why they do not want to leave. Get some guts and find a new job if you can and stop accussing universities not doing anything. Cuz you...

My personal belief is that education especially University is the best investment. I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts majoring in history and media in year 2019. As a mature student, it was so rewarding, and I'm returning to postgraduate studies Honours next year in Film and Screen studies part time. University of Auckland is world ranking, and even number one environmental rank. The human/land/building soul collective theme of University of Auckland is "top of the league". An Arts degree is human soul collective theme "critique" and my individual theme "in the public eye". I've loved film since young teen, and with University papers/credits I apply every day I learnt about media studies, Hollywood film and Hong Kong Cinema even an A grade for Chinese Contemporary Media. History is always an historical construct and perspective with objective (first person) and subjective (country, government). I was even student class representative for Hong Kong Cinema. I've written for Christchurch newspaper as a young child from 6 years in Christchurch starlets, and won a Young Authors Conference place at 10 years in Canterbury. My Professors are excellent, their expertise and high intellects revered locally and internationally. Being academic from University structures the mind and alleviates the imbalance on English Paternal side of Treaty of Waitangi. It's good to see youth 21 years of age in the 21st Century investing in their future at University of Auckland, participating in clubs, on the world stage, international Chinese students, high achievers. I've yet to publish some books for royalties about my Human rights commission claim with media publicity and financial compensation with new law precedents locally and internationally. Such is the power and status of a world ranking University of Auckland Arts degree to give me the respect and recognition to also enable and help others. The Clinical Psychologist at the health centre helped heal with the huge legal ordeal. A University degree is something no one can take away from you...