New student-driven space opened on campus

A new student-driven space ‘Te Paepae Ākonga’ has officially opened in the heart of student life in Te Kauta Café at our New Plymouth campus and is set to become an important place for ākonga.

Student leaders and WITT school representatives will use Te Paepae Ākonga to meet and invite students to drop in to provide feedback and share any concerns they may be having.

Last week as part of the trimester two O-Week activities new and returning ākonga were invited to join WITT kaimahi for the official opening of the space and enjoy some kai.

For Bridget Knuckey, Team Leader for Te Whare Mātauranga and Learning Resource Centre, the space is demonstrating WITT’s willingness to listen and accept student feedback.

“Being a part of the opening of this new space has been very exciting and I’m looking forward to seeing how the students make it their own.”

Bridge said it's important that students are able to express their feelings and concerns and he wants to eliminate as many barriers as possible around this.

“No one is a better advocate for the students than the students themselves. Just because a student may be uncomfortable speaking with their tutor about their feelings or concerns it is important that they are still given an opportunity to voice these,” she said.

Tiffany Pearce-Pepperall who is currently studying the New Zealand Diploma in Information Technology (Level 5) has been on her learning journey at WITT since 2021.

“I originally came to WITT to study administration but fell in love with IT while I was on my study journey.”

Tiffany said she is excited to see how the new Te Paepae Ākonga space will develop.

“I hope that Te Paepae Ākonga can become a place where students can feel at ease without being pressured by others and become a real hub for students.”

“If students are having problems or concerns and don’t feel comfortable going straight to their tutors, this space offers a safe space for them,” she said.