Victoria’s student numbers have been growing steadily, with indications that enrolments of both domestic and international students for 2018 are up on 2017 across undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Victoria’s growth trajectory is also reflected in the student accommodation it is providing—the University has 3474 beds in halls of residence in 2018, 240 more than in 2017.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford says Victoria has ambitious growth plans and is investing in the future.
“We have just opened the superb new Biological Sciences building in Kelburn, Te Toki a Rata, and we have recently improved our architecture and design and commerce facilities. We have also boosted the capacity of our halls of residence and are exploring how to offer more quality, cost-effective housing for students beyond first year.”
Professor Guilford says Victoria’s 22,000 students contribute to the economic, cultural, creative and social life of the capital city.
“Our students bring a diverse range of talents and skills that benefit the city in myriad ways, including through part-time jobs, internships, volunteering and contributions to the creative industries,” says Professor Guilford. “They enrich city life, making Wellington a better and livelier place.”
Last year, students enrolled in Victoria Plus, the University’s service and leadership development programme, volunteered with at least 70 different Wellington community organisations. This year Victoria is the sponsor of Volunteer Wellington’s corporate challenge and will encourage staff and students to get involved in volunteering activities.
In another highly successful programme, International Market Insights, Victoria University international students were matched with local businesses that expressed interest in exporting their product to the student’s home country.
Professor Guilford says Wellington city is increasingly becoming Victoria’s campus—the University has campuses in Kelburn, near Parliament (Victoria Business School) and off Cuba Street (Te Aro, home to the Faculty of Architecture and Design) along with specialist facilities in Miramar, Island Bay and Lower Hutt.
“As a university, we are very appreciative of the way the capital city welcomes our students. A great university and a great student city can achieve much together.”
Professor Guilford says Wellingtonians will have many opportunities throughout 2018 to engage with Victoria students and staff and take advantage of the leading-edge research, thinking and creative exploration taking place at the University.
“We encourage the community to take advantage of the many events and facilities Victoria offers. These include public lectures, performances by students from the New Zealand School of Music (Te Kōkī) at the upcoming CubaDupa festival, exhibitions at the Adam Art Gallery and our popular open day at Victoria’s Coastal Ecology Laboratory on 10 March.”
New Victoria students will be officially welcomed at an event in Kelburn Park on Friday 2 March.