Otagos Department
of Tourism ranked best in New Zealand
The University of
Otagos Department of Tourism was ranked first in New Zealand and 24th
in the world by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy in its latest global university
subject rankings.
Tourism Head of
Department Professor Brent Lovelock says the result reflects many years of hard
work by the departments staff.
The whole
department is thrilled with this result and it reflects the hard work they have
done over the last 12 months and beyond. This also reflects the high calibre of
the research that we have underway in the department, Professor Lovelock says.
Regarding the
ShanghaiRanking, Professor Lovelock says, in terms of Tourism and Hospitality
this is definitely the worlds preeminent global ranking system. The teaching
staff in the Department of Tourism are outstanding world-class researchers.
Professor Lovelock
says all the departments researchers take pride in the fact that they
contribute to sustainable tourism and hospitality in one way or another, and
they are very pleased to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of the
Business School and the wider University.
Despite the
COVID-19 global pandemic the Department of Tourism has maintained strong links
with its international students.
Weve maintained
a strong online presence with our Tourism major and Tourism Masters students.
He says that the
Tourism department is currently exploring strategic alternatives to account for
the challenges it may face regarding international students in the medium term,
due to the pandemic.
Its probably the
most exciting time to study Tourism as theres the chance to take place in the
global tourism rebuild. Theres a new emphasis on sustainability and
resilience, so were equipping our students with a broad new range of skills
that they can apply to any future form of work that they choose, Professor
Lovelock says.
Commerce Dean and
Pro-Vice Chancellor Robin Gauld says it is no secret that the Otago Tourism
Department has a global reputation, providing thought leadership and research
in a range of critical fields in the discipline.
This latest
ranking is reflective of and reinforces this reputation. We are all immensely
proud of this latest achievement, Professor Gauld says.
In addition to
being ranked first in New Zealand, the Otago Department of Tourism is ranked
third in Oceania behind Brisbanes Griffith University and the University of
Queensland.
The rankings
survey more than 1,800 out of 4,000 universities across 93 countries.They use a
range of objective academic indicators and third-party data sources to measure
the performance of world universities in relevant subjects, including
international academic awards, top academic achievements, research quality, and
international collaboration.
ShanghaiRanking
Consultancy is dedicated to research on higher education intelligence and
consultation. It has been the official publisher of the Academic Ranking of World
Universities since 2009.
Bachelor of
Entrepreneurship ready to launch
The University of
Otago Business School is preparing to offer the first new general business
degree to be offered in New Zealand in more than 100 years.
Business School
Dean and Pro-Vice Chancellor Robin Gauld says the need for a new Bachelor of
Entrepreneurship (BEntr) qualification was highlighted by the strong growth in
the Universitys postgraduate programmes in Entrepreneurship.
The Bachelor of
Entrepreneurship seems a natural fit for the Otago Business School and the
Otago community, as were lucky enough to have many highly innovative companies
which began operating in the south.
The Business
School has offered a leading Bachelor of Commerce degree for over 100 years. We
are really excited to be building on this legacy, by taking a major step in
offering a completely new, complementary degree, Professor Gauld says.
Programme Director
John Williams says the new qualification is being launched to respond to the
changing skills and attitudes that employers are demanding of graduates. He
also says the Business Schools Taumata (advisory board), made up of alumni and
other business leaders, has encouraged the development of such a course.
He says that the
Taumata does a great job of keeping the Business School real and grounded in
terms of what New Zealand business needs today.
We want the
programme to be attractive to students who wouldnt normally consider a
commerce degree, but do want to develop entrepreneurial mindsets and skills,
whatever their passion, Dr Williams says.
Co-developer of
the degree, Associate Dean Māori Dr Katharina Ruckstuhl adds, the degree will
help meet Māori demand for entrepreneurial thinking combined with practice.
Māori values and approaches will provide new insights into business creation,
whether as a start-up or an existing business.
Fellow BEntr
co-developer Associate Dean Pacific EsmayEteuati says entrepreneurship is a
pathway to empower Pacific students to build resilient, healthier communities
leaning on their own culture and knowledge.
We know in
Pacific families there are certain careers parents encourage their kids to
take, so this degree will encourage a greater flexibility and accessibility to
tools and skills to make an impact in our community.
The University of
Otago BEntr was approved by the national Committee on University Academic
Programmes (CUAP) earlier in the month.
Photo credit:from left Programme Director Dr John Williams, Dr Katharina
Ruckstuhl, Professor Nathan Berg, Professor Robin Gauld, and EsmayEteuati
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