title: Strategies to improve engineering retention

authors: Carnegie, Dale A.

subjects: Diagnostics

abstract: Victoria University of Wellington in partnership with the regional polytechnic, WelTec, undertook a major exercise to identify, and where possible, resolve, barriers to recruitment and retention in the digital engineering specializations. This paper focuses on the retention aspects of this research. Informed by student surveys, focus groups and secondary school academic achievement data, we identified contributing issues of academic preparation, student expectation and cultural influencers. In response we developed an engineering preparation course, a mathematics based diagnostic tool, Peer-Assisted learning support, engineering cultural activities, and redeveloped our core first year engineering course. Although in the early stages of delivery, these initiatives have been well received by the students. We are closely monitoring the results of these initiatives with the expectation that fewer students will abandon their studies and a greater portion of the marginal students will attain passing grades.

text: Strategies to improve engineering retention Victoria University of Wellington in partnership with the regional polytechnic, WelTec, undertook a major exercise to identify, and where possible, resolve, barriers to recruitment and retention in the digital engineering specializations. This paper focuses on the retention aspects of this research. Informed by student surveys, focus groups and secondary school academic achievement data, we identified contributing issues of academic preparation, student expectation and cultural influencers. In response we developed an engineering preparation course, a mathematics based diagnostic tool, Peer-Assisted learning support, engineering cultural activities, and redeveloped our core first year engineering course. Although in the early stages of delivery, these initiatives have been well received by the students. We are closely monitoring the results of these initiatives with the expectation that fewer students will abandon their studies and a greater portion of the marginal students will attain passing grades.

year: 2012

title: Bridge lane direction specifications for sustainable traffic management

authors: Foulds, James Richard

subjects: bridges

abstract: We present a deterministic model that specifies lane direction in a multi-laned bridge that has a movable barrier that divides the two directions of traffic flow, in order to reduce congestion. A probabilistic dynamic programming formulation for a stochastic extension of the model is also presented. Analysis of the special structure of the dynamic programming formulation provides new insights into important aspects of certain traffic planning problems and represents a useful addition to the traffic network planner's toolkit. A case study involving the lane direction management of an actual bridge is also provided.

text: Bridge lane direction specifications for sustainable traffic management We present a deterministic model that specifies lane direction in a multi-laned bridge that has a movable barrier that divides the two directions of traffic flow, in order to reduce congestion. A probabilistic dynamic programming formulation for a stochastic extension of the model is also presented. Analysis of the special structure of the dynamic programming formulation provides new insights into important aspects of certain traffic planning problems and represents a useful addition to the traffic network planner's toolkit. A case study involving the lane direction management of an actual bridge is also provided.

year: 2006

title: Mā hea (which way)? Mō te aha (what for)? Too many questions, not enough answers, for Māori on the march

authors: Te Awekotuku, Ngahuia

subjects: Aotearoa/New Zealand

abstract: This presentation will be in four sections. The first section introduces two major issues: mana motuhake, and mana tāngata, then we will consider some proposed legislation: the Foreshore and Seabed Bill and the Civil Union Bill. Then I will look at strategic Māori responses to political pressure over the last three decades and note two recent and dramatic examples – the Hīkoi Takutai Moana, April 2004, and the Enough is Enough Rally, August 2004. The final section considers the implications for psychologies and psychologists working today in Aotearoa.

text: Mā hea (which way)? Mō te aha (what for)? Too many questions, not enough answers, for Māori on the march This presentation will be in four sections. The first section introduces two major issues: mana motuhake, and mana tāngata, then we will consider some proposed legislation: the Foreshore and Seabed Bill and the Civil Union Bill. Then I will look at strategic Māori responses to political pressure over the last three decades and note two recent and dramatic examples – the Hīkoi Takutai Moana, April 2004, and the Enough is Enough Rally, August 2004. The final section considers the implications for psychologies and psychologists working today in Aotearoa.

year: 2012