NEW ZEALAND
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From Left to Right: Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand H.E. Kira Christianne Azucena and AUT Vice Chancellor Professor Damon Selesa.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT
PHILIPPINE STUDIES HUB
PHILIPPINE STUDIES HUB
The Aukland University of Technology (AUT) has officially launched New Zealand’s first Philippine Studies Research, Training and Engagement Hub, formalized through a partnership between the Philippine Embassy and the university. Arriving just ahead of the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations in 2026, this interdisciplinary initiative marks a major milestone in strengthening academic and cultural ties between the two nations.
As a collaborative, cross-faculty project, the hub is dedicated to promoting inclusive research and supporting the Filipino student community within the context of Aotearoa New Zealand. By leveraging AUT’s global outlook, the partnership aims to create lasting educational outcomes and academic connections that benefit both Filipinos and New Zealanders.
RECENT EVENTS
RECENT EVENTS
On 12 February 2026, the AUT Philippine Studies Hub hosted its fifth Pag(m)ulat session, titled "Kwentong Aotearoa: Crossing Oceans, Creating Stories." Inspired by the work of Professor Roland Tolentino, the event explored how Filipino migrants experience and shape their identities through place-based storytelling. The discussion featured community leader Hannah Barral, who shared insights from her decades of social media engagement and pioneering migrant research, alongside award-winning creative Marianne Infante, who highlighted her work in theater and film. Moderated by Dr. Sarah Lipura, the session underscored the diverse modalities—from oral history to performance—used to preserve and navigate the Filipino diaspora experience in New Zealand.
ABOUT
ABOUT
AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Founded in 1895 as a vocational night school, the institution evolved into the Auckland Technical Institute (ATI) by 1963. Along the way, it established a reputation for innovation by outperforming international benchmarks and hosting New Zealand’s first television broadcast in 1957, laying the groundwork for its rapid expansion into advanced tertiary education.
In 2025, AUT celebrates 130 years of history and its 25th anniversary as a university. Under Vice-Chancellor Professor Damon Salesa, the institution has matured into a globally connected hub of 150,000 alumni, prioritizing academic excellence alongside social inclusivity and Te Tiriti-led frameworks like Te Kete.
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