Celebrating leadership success

In front of their family and friends, 62 students were recently recognised for their efforts in completing Victoria University of Wellington's leadership programmes.

The leadership winners in the Hunter Council Chamber

In total this year, 170 students completed the Victoria International Leadership Programme (VILP) and the Victoria Plus Award. Ten of these students completed both. Sixty-five students completed VILP, a free, self-paced, extracurricular programme aimed at enhancing degree study and making students more globally aware.

Tessa Cullen, a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce student, says that VILP allowed her to travel far and wide—both mentally and physically—during the programme.

“I attended seminars on Korea, China, and South America, explored subjects such as law and ecology, the war on terror. These are all subjects I would have never had the opportunity to learn about within my own degree.”

Fifty-one students completed the Victoria Plus award, the University’s service and leadership development programme. Fifty-four students completed Victoria Plus at the certificate level.

Master of Landscape Architecture student, Elle Fairgray, says the Victoria Plus programme has helped improve her employability.

“Through the programme, I took part in a variety of volunteer roles and attended workshops which allowed me to develop skills to help me better cope with life obstacles.”

Both programmes are noted on students’ academic transcript upon completion.

Jane Fletcher, Assistant Manager at Victoria Careers and Employment, says that the evening held in the Hunter Council Chamber was a fantastic celebration for the students. “The students who were recognised were all wonderful.

“The speeches given by keynote speaker, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Victoria Business School Professor Ian Williamson, and students, Tré and Isaiah Ratahi-Taramoeroa and Lisa Lamers, were really inspiring.”

More information about VILP and the Victoria Plus Programme can be found on the University’s website.