Chronicle, Vol 48 issue 5 - November 2013

He Kupu Whakamahara

November 2013

Engineers rev up their skills Bright future ahead for UC

Stuck on seaweed

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Chronicle48 no.5 November 2013

On the fast track to success.

Editor: Renee Jones 364 2987 ext 6072

Staff Writers: Kip Brook Charlene Smart

Sub–editor: Col Pearson

Photos: Duncan Shaw–Brown Eve Welch

Artwork: Brian Carney

Printer: Toltech Print

Distribution: Canterbury Educational Printing Services

Email: communications@ canterbury.ac.nz

Address: Communications and Stakeholder Relations, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch.

Thanks to everyone else who’s played a part making this issue happen.

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Global education provider Navitas Limited has opened its doors as an affiliated college on UC’s campus to recruit and prepare international students for degree study at UC.

The partnership between UC and Navitas will allow international students to study first-year courses at the new UC International College (UCIC) and, on successful completion, enter their second year of study at UC.

UC Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr said the College would play an important role in attracting international students back to Christchurch, to the University and to the greater Canterbury region.

“The aim of UCIC is to contribute to a threefold increase in the international student population at UC within the next 10 years. This increase will benefit the entire region.”

College Director and Principal of UCIC Professor Peter Cottrell, former head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Dean of Science at UC, said the programme was unique in New Zealand.

“UCIC’s university transfer programme is the first of its kind to be delivered in New Zealand. International students will complete the equivalent of their UC first year programme at UCIC and then transfer, or pathway, into the second year of their UC degree programme.

“Students will have full access to UC services and facilities so they will feel part of the campus immediately, and it will make their transition into UC as students that much smoother.”

International students who just missed the entrance requirements in English

language and other academic subjects would get the additional support and intensive tutoring and coaching needed to help them achieve their academic goals.

UCIC will initially offer students a University Transfer Programme (UTP): Commerce, which is the equivalent to the first year of UC’s Bachelor of Commerce degree. In March next year, a UTP: Engineering will also be offered with additional courses in science and pre-masters to follow.

Orientation for UCIC was held on 24 and 25 October with new students being jointly welcomed by Dr Carr and Professor Cottrell.

Navitas is a leading global education provider founded in Australia. It provides education training services in cooperation with leading universities in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and now New Zealand. All courses are accredited through the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and quality assured by UC.

Partnership set to boost international student numbers at UC

Caption9 New app for businesses.13 Investigating household products that are contaminating the environment.15 Seaweed could be the glue that sticks.

Symphony captures earthquake memories.10

CHRONICLE 48, No.5, November 2013

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“This announcement is a major milestone for the University and a momentous occasion for Christchurch and Canterbury as we take a major step into an exciting future for learning and research for UC students,” Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr said.

“On behalf of the University community and the many friends of the University who have supported us, we thank the Government warmly for its substantial commitment, which will enable the transformation of the University and its on-going support for the recovery of Christchurch.”

The Government investment, recently announced on campus by the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable John Key, and Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister, the Honourable Steven Joyce, is focused on three key

elements. These are a five-year commitment to the Student Achievement Component funded by the Tertiary Education Commission, providing “whole of institution” support; capital investment of up to $250 million in new and upgraded learning and research facilities in engineering and science; and an immediate $10 million investment to support detailed planning for these major capital projects.

Dr Carr said a period of significant development and growth lies ahead, and the University will maximise the Government’s investment through prudent financial management.

“Like all organisations, we must live within our means. The University is forecasting a return to surpluses from 2017. Independent financial advice has provided reassurance to the University that the

proposed support will be sufficient to ensure the University can meet its obligations as they fall due,” Dr Carr said.

Chancellor Dr John Wood said the Government’s support will enable the University to invest in new and upgraded engineering and science facilities which will be contemporary, flexible and will attract students and staff from around New Zealand and overseas.

The expanded and fully modernised College of Engineering ($145 million) and the $212 million Regional Science and Innovation Centre (RSIC) phase I (multidiscplinary teaching hub plus new research facilities for chemistry, geography, geological sciences and physics and astronomy) are scheduled for completion by the beginning of 2017.

Government announces significant investment in UC’s futureThe Government has announced a significant $260 million investment in UC, which will contribute towards world class facilities for science and engineering.

(From left ) Sir Tipene O'Regan, Student Services and Communications Director Lynn McClelland, Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce, Prime Minister John Key, Chancellor Dr John Wood and UCSA President Erin Jackson.

Prime Minister John Key

Phase 2 of the RSIC (new staff workspace and accommodation for the College of Education's Science and Technology Education Programme and the College of Science's Outreach Programme) is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of 2019.

“Thanks to Government support, which makes a substantial contribution towards the costs of these investments, the University will now be able to proceed with detailed planning. Students and parents, as well as staff, can now have even more confidence in the quality of UC’s world class learning environment where research, teaching and learning take place in ways that are inspirational and innovative,” he said.

“The Government’s commitment is not solely in response to the University’s current financial position,” said Dr Carr.

“It acknowledges the University’s strengths in science and engineering, and recognises its commitment to producing outstanding graduates in arts, business and law, education, science and engineering.

“We want all our graduates, whatever their chosen discipline or qualification, to have the skills, knowledge, experience and confidence to be leaders in their professional lives, role models in their local communities, global citizens and champions of a bicultural society within a multi-cultural world.

“To do this, we are reaching out to establish new connections and enhance existing ones, including our relationships with Ngāi Tahu and with schools, to create exciting learning opportunities for all our students. Beyond libraries, lecture theatres and laboratories, engagement with the community, time in the workplace and overseas experiences will ensure our graduates are better prepared to contribute than ever before.”

The University will now be in a better position to complete remediation and strengthening of the remainder of campus more quickly, with at least 80 per cent of UC built space to be remediated within the next five to seven years.

UC plans to embark on a $1.1 billion capital works programme over the next decade and around 25 per cent will be insurer-funded, about half funded by the

University and the balance from the Government support.

“Without support, it would have been impossible for us to make the same level of investment as other institutions in facilities such as laboratories, teaching spaces and information technology to support 21st century, research intensive higher education, especially in engineering and science. This would have put the University at considerable risk of falling behind other institutions and failing to restore student numbers to at least pre-earthquake levels,” Dr Carr said.

He said the Government’s commitment follows a period of significant uncertainty for staff and students.

"The Government, quite rightly, wanted us to deliver a compelling case for support.

“That took time and energy, and all the while staff continued to teach and inspire our students and carry out their research. They also faced many personal challenges as a result of the earthquakes. This announcement is for them, as much as for the University itself.”


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UC mechanical engineering students are trialling a racing car they have designed and built to compete in the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers Australasia design competition in Melbourne in December.

Thirteen UC students have been involved in the endeavour, which is their final-year project. UC Design Engineer and Technical Services Officer Bruce Robertson said the students have been carrying out tests near the Wigram Air Force Museum on a large tarmac area outside the hangars.

“We have been testing there twice a week for the last three weeks. The staff at Wigram are very enthusiastic about supporting UC students, which we are very grateful for as, without this facility, we would be unable to do our car and driver development,” he said.

“Our car needs to measure up to the competition’s dynamic events, which include an endurance race, an autocross race, acceleration test, maximum cornering speed on a skid pan and an economy test. It also needs to meet a design report, public presentation and a cost report. Points are added up from each event to determine the overall placings.”

Mr Robertson said the challenge gives students a chance to put theory into action.

“Our students are technically very capable as they come toward the end of their mechanical engineering degree, but for most this is the first time they get to put their expertise into action on a real project,” he said.

“It’s not unusual for students to work on the car into the small hours of the morning and, at times, I’ve had to send them home to get some sleep otherwise they’d just run themselves to exhaustion. I think their motivation comes from their desire to prove themselves, and knowing they have a great

opportunity to develop their skills which they don’t want to waste.”

The car will be driven by a number of team members including Abby Neave who said the experience had been amazing.

“The whole project has certainly been an experience, to see something go from a model on a computer screen to something physical you can drive, and I've learnt so much along the way,” she said.

“Driving the car is the greatest reward for so much hard work. It's such an invigorating feeling, you just don't want to stop.”

The team’s car and competition costs will be funded by sponsors and fundraising.

“The financial implications are frightening. However, we have found a number of generous sponsors, including UC's Mechanical Engineering Department,” Mr Robertson said.

“The remaining money we need to raise is to pay for the team to travel and transport costs to Melbourne in December.”

Engineers rev up their skills

(From left, back row) Sean Keller, Dan Smith, Michael Butler, Peter Allison, Lan Bo, Andrew Sarratt, UC Design Engineer and Technical Services Officer Bruce Robertson, Jeanne-Marie Pike, and Head of Department Professor Milo Kral; (from left, front row) Weston Hill, Tim Mead, Jason Van Winkel, Liam Byron, Shaun Mucalo and UC Senior Lecturer Dr Don Clucas.

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Professors Dave Kelly and Angus Macfarlane have each been awarded University of Canterbury Research Medals for 2013.

The Research Medal is awarded annually for excellence in research or in recognition of research of outstanding merit produced over a limited time frame. It is the University’s highest recognition of an outstanding contribution to research.

Professor Kelly (Biological Sciences) receives his medal in recognition of his world leading research into plant ecology and plant-animal interactions.

Professor Kelly said he was surprised and delighted to be awarded the Research Medal and that it was a great honour to receive the recognition.

“You’re never quite sure where the research will lead so it is a bit surprising and very humbling to be given this award. I really was gobsmacked to be told that I got it because there are so many world-class researchers at UC.”

Professor Kelly’s research is primarily about interactions between plants and animals. One of his long-term research projects began in 1986 when a postdoctoral researcher from the Unites States was visiting New Zealand for two years to study pollen production in snow tussocks. After the researcher returned to the United States, Professor Kelly decided that he should carry on the study for a few more years.

“That study is still going on 27 years later and we’re still learning new things.”

Even though every discovery is exciting, Professor Kelly said that a project published in Science in 2011, after 10 years of study, had been one of the highlights of his career so far. The paper looked at a bird-pollinated North Island native shrub in which pollination was failing on the North Island, but still working perfectly well on adjacent island bird reserves. He credited having a supportive department of fully committed

and clever people, and some very stimulating collaboration outside UC for his success.

“I think I have the best job in the world. The research is a voyage of discovery with surprises around every corner.”

Professor Macfarlane (Office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor Māori, and Teacher Education) receives his medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Māori research and education.

Professor Macfarlane said he was very humbled to receive the award and that it honoured the importance of Māori and indigenous research and researchers.

“There is a saying ‘he toa takatini’. This refers to success being shared rather than an individual thing — and that’s how I feel about the Research Medal.”

Professor Macfarlane’s research is grounded in cultural psychology and he described it as an intriguing field as it attempted to discover the relationship between culture and psychology, and how it

affected and shaped behaviour and motivation. His research began in the 1980s when he was head teacher of a secondary school for students with profound behavioural difficulties. He wanted to understand the process involved in supporting young people’s chances for better opportunities.

The launch of his third book, Discipline, Democracy and Diversity, had been a highlight, Professor Macfarlane said.

“I loved writing that book. It was right in line with my passion and built on my own research and the seminal work of colleagues locally, nationally and internationally.”

Professor Macfarlane said he enjoyed the variety that academic work presented.

“I love learning from those with whom I work. It gives me the opportunity to encounter new ideas and use those ideas in thinking and reasoning that go toward making a contribution to Māori and academia.”

Research Medals awarded

Professor Angus Macfarlane (left) and Professor Dave Kelly.


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the developed world. There are presently more specialised mental health services for vulnerable child populations in the United Kingdom than anywhere else, and there is a stronger groundswell to further develop such specialised services.”

Professor Tarren-Sweeney, along with co-writer Professor Arlene Vetere (University of Surrey), identified that there was a need for expert guidance on the topic and the need to effectively detect, prevent and treat mental health difficulties in the vulnerable population.

The book provides expert guidance on the design of specialised services and responds to increasing evidence that standard mental health services for children

Helping the mental health of vulnerable children and young people in foster care, and those adopted from care, is the focus of a new book co-written by a UC academic that was launched at the House of Lords in the United Kingdom recently.

The book, Mental Health Services for Vulnerable Children and Young People: Supporting children who are, or have been, in foster care, looks at foster systems internationally but has a strong focus on the United Kingdom where Associate Professor Michael Tarren-Sweeney said mental health services were more specialised.

“The book has a stronger connection with the United Kingdom than elsewhere in

New book examines mental health services for children

and adolescents are poorly matched to the needs of children and young people who have been in foster care.

In 2010, Professor Tarren-Sweeney and Professor Vetere co-edited the world’s first journal special issue on the topic of specialised mental health services for children in care and those adopted from care, in Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

“There was an overwhelming response to that special issue, which highlighted a need for expert guidance on this topic for government policy advisors, mental health and children’s agencies, and for individual clinicians as well.”

Professor Tarren-Sweeney hoped the book would provide an international reference for the design of specialised mental health services for children and young people in care.

“The book was specifically written to influence government policy and to demonstrate the need for specialised mental health services for children in care and those adopted from care.”

Professor Tarren-Sweeney said the book release coincided with a major policy initiative and reforms by the United Kingdom's government to increase the availability of specialised therapeutic services for children adopted from care.

The book launch was hosted by Lord Listowel at the House of Lords, with the support of the British Association of Adoption and Fostering, which is the main body for children in care and adopted children. Lord Listowel, who is Chair of the All-Party Parlimentary Group for Looked After Children and Care Leavers, also wrote the book’s foreword.

Professor Tarren-Sweeney said he and the book’s contributors felt especially honoured to have the opportunity to promote the book’s message in the United Kingdom's Parliament.

Associate Professor Michael Tarren-Sweeney with his new book.

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Associate Professor Michael Tarren-Sweeney with his new book.

A UC postgraduate researcher is investigating New Zealand seaweed to see if it can be used as commercial wet-resistant glue or in the medical industry.

Biological sciences student Anton Mather is working under the supervision of Dr Simone Dimartino (Chemical and Process Engineering) and Professor Juliet Gerrard (Biological Sciences) investigating seaweed bio-adhesives that could benefit New Zealand’s naval and undersea construction industries.

As well as offering the adhesive to the navy and the shipping industry, there is also potential for the seaweed-based adhesives to be used in the biomedical industry for repair of tissue in place of stitches.

Anton’s research into bio-adhesives produced by seaweed has just earned him the powerHouse Innovation Award at UC’s Annual Biology Conference.

“Seaweed has an ability to adhere to marine surfaces and withstand large tidal

forces. To avoid becoming detached, this kelp produces an extremely strong water-resistant glue anchoring it to the rocks. The surfaces that the kelp adheres to are chemically very dirty with a range of contaminants over them,” he said.

“Synthetic glues often fail in wet and dirty environments and frequently require intensive surface cleaning techniques using high energy processes or strong chemicals.

“The kelp produces a glue that is able to attach very strongly to the rocks despite the presence of these contaminants. We are interested in what this glue is made from and the mechanism behind its powerful connection with the surface.”

In addition to the development of bio-inspired adhesives, this research could also lead to the development of superior coatings for biofouling resistance.

“Areas where better anti-biofouling coatings would benefit New Zealand are in shipping, where biofouling increases drag and fuel consumption, and the aquaculture industry where anti-biofouling coatings could prevent the adhesion of undesired

organisms while allowing the adhesion of desired organisms such as mussels,” Anton said.

“To investigate the glue, we are testing its strength in sticking to a variety of materials including glass, stainless steel, Teflon and plastics.

“Other planned experiments involve chemical modifications of the materials to get a more refined picture of the chemical makeup of the glue. The potential applications for findings from this research in producing new environmentally friendly glue are substantial.”

Anton and Dr Dimartino have been working around Banks Peninsula, which is rich in many kinds of seaweed and is a perfect place to get used to the marine environment.

Preliminary experiments demonstrate that kelp is effective in sticking to glass surfaces. Further tests will be carried out to see if the seaweed could attach firmly to other surfaces such as plastic and metals, with specific interest in materials currently used in biomedical implants.

Researcher explores seaweed stickability

Biological sciences student Anton Mather.


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UC academic Dr Patrick Shepherd.

Symphony set to capture quakes’ impact UC academic Dr Patrick Shepherd (Teacher Education) hopes a symphony he is writing based on the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes will help local children better understand what they have lived through.

Dr Shepherd, who this year took over as Musical Director of the Christchurch School’s Music Festival, has completed two movements of the symphony entitled Ex Tenebris Lux, which translates to “from darkness comes the light”.

“Ex Tenebris Lux is a very apposite motto for a city emerging from a disaster like the earthquakes. What I want to focus on in the symphony are the people, their reaction, their resilience and their movement forward from the earthquake event,” he said.

“Like many of my most recent creative works, the symphony is also being informed by research. The idea for the second movement was suggested when I canvassed the children about how they interacted with the first movement and the ways they thought the symphony might develop. I presented on this at a recent Australian conference and got some interesting leads regarding creativity and the composition of ‘massed’ works.”

The first movement to be completed — “The Fallen Cathedrals” — premiered at the festival last year and the second movement was performed during this year’s festival held recently at the CBS Arena.

“The movement was called ‘Like a Scene from a Movie’, which fitted in well with the theme for this year’s festival, which was ‘Stage and Screen’. ‘Like a Scene from a Movie’ was how many people described the events that unfolded in Christchurch in the past few years.”

Dr Shepherd said that, like many, he felt helpless watching the impact of the earthquakes unfold and wanted to capture that with music. He said the details just fell into place after he decided to write the symphony.

“People were truly extraordinary following the quakes and I think we saw the best side of human nature when communities reached out and helped, and I wanted to capture that.”

The theme for next year’s festival is “War and Peace” and Dr Shepherd has already named the third movement “The Student Army”.

“I think it is important that the Student Volunteer Army features as the army was an unusual thing to come out of the catastrophe, a real example for others to emulate. I was immensely proud of our students and want to honour them in some way.”

Dr Shepherd hoped that in 2015, when the whole symphony is finished, that the children who played in the four different movements since 2012 will come together and form a “super-orchestra” to play it in its entirety.

“If we can fit them all on stage we might even feature it in the actual festival.”

The festival, which dates from 1939, brings together children from around Christchurch and as far afield as Ashburton and the West Coast. This year more than 4800 primary-aged children took part in the festival performing in special and mass choirs, concert band and symphony orchestra.

“The aim of the festival is to promote music-making in our schools and a love of music in our young people. It focuses primarily on singing but a significant part of the festival involves instrumental playing.

“It is immense fun and very rewarding but a lot of hard work for everyone involved. It is a good balance between enjoyment and learning — we certainly aim to improve the children’s experience and ability as performers. Music is a wonderful vehicle for learning so many things,” Dr Shepherd said.

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Liam was born with fibular hemimelia, a condition which meant both of his legs had to be amputated below the knee. He is now the only known bilateral amputee sprinter in the country.

“My goal is to reach Rio [de Janeiro]. That is my focus. To define what it would take to win the gold at this stage is difficult. It is definitely possible but I need to focus on building my platform to develop day by day. That's how I work,” he said.

“But I believe it's realistic for me to be the best and I have the potential to be the best. But realism and potential don't win medals. Hard work does and that's what I have to do before I go anywhere.

“A lot of work will need to be done to qualify for Rio. There are the world champs in 2015 and, to qualify, I need to gain sufficient world rankings by competing in certain events. A huge amount of focus will go into getting out of the blocks as fast as possible, as a bilateral amputee sprinter that’s where my time will be lost or gained.”

Liam started training on his new blades last month with the help of UC sports programme manager Grant Robertson and UC senior sport scientist Matt Ingram, who has worked closely with Paralympian swimmer Sophie Pascoe.

“Grant’s team has helped me with biomechanics. Using a high-speed camera I walked on the blades and ran on the treadmill. The team from the Artificial Limb Centre by Burwood Hospital came along to make adjustments following an analysis of the footage.

“Grant has developed a programme to begin developing my strength, power and speed. I’ve also attended UC sports psychology seminars. They have set up slow-motion cameras to help with the analysis of aligning the blades to the sockets.”

Liam thrives on challenges and is planning to skydive. He discovered his passion for sport when he hit the slopes as a child.

UC athlete focuses on ParalympicsLiam Malone tries out his new blades under the watchful eye of UC sports programme manager Grant Robertson.

“I started skiing around the age of six and switched to snowboarding when I was 13. Snowboarding was a sport in which I could really compete equally against my peers,” he said.

“I was always involved in sport at school. My peers and coaches treated me no differently so I grew up with the expectation of having no excuses and to just simply try my best. I also played rugby and cricket from the age of six.”

But, for now, his focus remains on perfecting his technique on the blades and sprinting towards his goal of the Paralympics in three years.

“My focus is on developing strength and power in my hamstrings, quads and glutes to be able to put as much energy into the blades so, in return, I get the maximum amount of drive out of each step,” he said.

“The quality of technology among para-athletes is so even it will come down to the minor elements on the day, and a lot of mental focus.”

UC commerce student Liam Malone, who lost both legs at the age of two, is aspiring to be New Zealand's top sprinter at the 2016 Paralympics and the country’s first “blade runner”.


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Engineers awarded Innovation Medal

Civil and natural resources engineers Professor Andy Buchanan, Associate Professor Stefano Pampanin and Dr Alessandro Palermo have been awarded UC’s Innovation Medal for using their academic knowledge to benefit the wider community.

The Innovation Medal is awarded by the University Council for excellence in transforming knowledge or ideas so they are adopted by the wider community in ways that contribute beneficial value.

The trio were chosen as the medal winners following their innovative contribution to the new system of earthquake-resistant buildings using post-tensioned structural timber, referred to as Pres-Lam (pre-stressed laminated timber).

Their innovative design concepts developed in 2005 were followed by a patent application in 2006 and five years of university research funded by the Structural Timber Innovation Company Ltd, accompanied by construction of new buildings in Nelson, Wellington and Christchurch.

The post-tensioned timber buildings are constructed with laminated veneer lumber (LVL) manufactured by STIC shareholders Carter Holt Harvey or Nelson Pine Industries. LVL is similar to very large sheets of thick plywood, subsequently laminated into large structural beams, columns or walls.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Engineering) Professor Jan Evans-Freeman said the award

was the result of many years’ work, and creative and innovative thinking.

“Their contribution includes research, development, promotion and technical support. Their pioneering research has lifted engineered timber buildings into serious contention for the Christchurch rebuild after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes,” she said.

“They initiated a step-change in the use of timber as a structural material, allowing direct competition with concrete and steel for many multi-storey buildings. They built on some innovative solutions developed for concrete buildings to invent and develop a whole new system of post-tensioned timber for earthquake-resistant multi-storey timber buildings.”

UC civil and natural resources engineers (from left) Associate Professor Stefano Pampanin, Dr Alessandro Palermo and Professor Andy Buchanan.

Three engineers have been recognised by UC for their efforts in playing a significant part in the rebuild of Christchurch.

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Engineers awarded Innovation Medal

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A UC commerce and law student has produced an app that will help businesses seeking suggestions from customers.

Hannah Duder won the apps challenge section in the annual $75,000 entré business competition. Entré is a student-founded club which runs events at UC in which young hopefuls can put their business ideas to the test with the help of mentors and business connections.

Hannah produced The Suggestion Box app to provide a place for the public to make suggestions to businesses. The app will be downloadable for Apple and Android smartphones this month.

Hannah said the idea behind The Suggestion Box was to replace old complaints, compliments and suggestion boxes that businesses use.

“Most people do not like confrontation, or do not have the confidence to tell a business the ideas they have. The physical suggestion boxes require too much effort for this day and age. People rarely want to spend time writing a comment down on paper when people can see. Also, suggestion boxes are usually hidden away and not that inviting,” she said.

“The Suggestion Box replaces the old handwritten system which is an archaic dust collector. The phone app creates a free, easy to use and anonymous way to give feedback to businesses.”

Hannah said it would allow users to make suggestions in one place to many different businesses.

“The app saves time and trees and lets the user make a suggestion even after they

have left the businesses. A current issue is that businesses make mistakes, and mistakes make those who encounter them angry. But in the social media era, angry people don't just send a letter to a business owner, they vent publicly,” she said.

“Rather than letting that business know they will just never return for their service again. The app will hopefully make people tell the business about these encounters, which will then make them feel heard and potentially be followed up by the business.”

The Suggestion Box allows users to write a suggestion of up to 140 characters and also to rate the suggestion as positive or negative. The user logs in via Facebook, which requires just one click and then they start typing the place name. The app should then give recommendations of places to make a suggestion to.

“Most businesses use expensive online survey products and have to provide high incentives for their customers to use them. Also, some businesses are still using pen and paper systems to gather feedback that require their customers to approach the box and write the suggestion, which can be intimidating and not easy enough,” she said.

Hannah will work on the app over the summer to develop it further and pitch it to businesses.

UC commerce and law student Hannah Duder.

New app opens way for feedback


A UC academic is becoming a part-time Indiana Jones as he helps a team of archaeologists discover a lost city in central Sumatra.

Dr Christopher Gomez (Geography) is working with a team of Indonesian archaeologists on the discovery of a lost city where they found Chinese and Persian quarters surrounding forgotten temples in the middle of a deserted swampy marsh and forest.

Dr Gomez has just received an award from the New Zealand Geographical Society for his scientific contribution and is on the verge of unearthing the South-east Asian equivalent of the lost city of Atlantis.

Seven years ago Dr Gomez was working with a team of Jakarta-based archaeologists when they found evidence that foreign vessels were converging on Sumatra for its gold.

His continuing collaboration with the archaeologists has led to the latest development.

“This year, after almost 10 years of prospecting and in collaboration with a colleague from the Netherlands, Veronique Degroot, and the Indonesian team, we have

found evidence of the location of the lost north coast harbour of the Mataram Kingdom,” Dr Gomez said.

“The Mataram Kingdom in Indonesia was an all-mighty empire from the 7th to the 12th centuries, which was expanding to the border of present day Vietnam, with a strong network of merchants trading with Persians, Indians and Chinese when Europeans were still fighting each other through the Middle Ages.

“This kingdom had its capital on the island of Java and is referred to in Persian and Chinese text. It used to have a large harbour to the north of the island. Because of climate change, volcanic eruptions and river sedimentation, the north coast harbour and its city have been long lost, until this year, when evidence of its location was discovered.”

Dr Gomez said the discovery could make a huge impact.

“We are on the verge of unearthing one of the best kept secrets in East Asia. It is a bit like unearthing Angkor Vat, or going into the tomb of the pharaohs, and the most exciting part this time is the prospect of bringing a UC student with me on this adventure,” he said.

“Two years ago, I took some UC students and colleagues to the Merapi volcano in

UC geographer helps find lost city Central Java, which in 2010 produced the largest eruption in the last 100 years. The students loved being there.

“I am honoured that Indonesian archaeologists turned to me, a UC scientist. It puts our University on the world stage. Now I am trying to find sponsors for my students to give them the chance to experience firsthand how it is to create the sciences we teach in the classroom and share with them the exhilarating things that still need to be discovered.”

UC geographer Dr Christopher Gomez.

Dr Gomez in the field.

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Chemicals from everyday household products are increasingly being detected in the environment and could threaten ecosystems and human health, according to UC’s Dr Sally Gaw.

Dr Gaw (Chemistry) said a growing number of contaminants, in particular pharmaceuticals, were ending up in marine ecosystems. These contaminants were flushed into sewage systems from daily activities such as showers, cleaning teeth, flushing toilets, and washing clothes and dishes.

“It is of international concern as many of these everyday chemicals are designed to be biologically active and may have adverse effects on marine organisms. Many of these contaminants are everyday chemicals in widespread use in consumer products,

personal care products and pharmaceuticals. The presence of antibiotics and antimicrobial compounds in the environment is a public health issue due to the potential for the development of antibiotic drug resistance in bacteria,” she said.

“These emerging contaminants are of interest either because we have more information about their adverse effects in the environment or, in some cases, due to advances in analytical equipment we are now able to detect them in the environment.

“Sewage discharges are a major source of emerging contaminants entering coastal waters. Current sewage treatment processes were not designed to remove these types of contaminants.”

Dr Gaw said that, until recently, researchers investigating the impact of these emerging contaminants had focused on freshwater environments and there had been limited assessment of these chemicals in marine environments.

“In freshwater environments a range of pharmaceuticals have been detected in fish. Antidepressants have even been found in fish brains. The likely impacts of emerging contaminants in the marine environment include effects on growth and development of aquatic organisms. Some emerging contaminants may alter organisms’ behaviour, for example, making them less afraid of predators,” she said.

“New Zealand's population is predominantly coastal, with three quarters of the population living within 10km of the coast. Approximately 90 per cent of New Zealand’s treated sewage is discharged into the marine environment. The coastline is a national taonga and a significant source of income.

“Measures to reduce the impact of emerging contaminants in the marine environment will involve a combination of improved treatment at wastewater plants and regulatory controls for high-risk chemicals.”

Everyday chemicals increasingly found in the environment

UC chemist Dr Sally Gaw.Dr Gomez in the field.

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Liam Sabak will graduate from UC in December with a Postgraduate Diploma in Education and a Masters of Education, thanks to a New Zealand Aid Scholarship from the New Zealand Government.

The scholarships, offered through the New Zealand Aid programme, aim to enhance the skills, training and knowledge of individuals and better build their capacity to contribute to the sustainable development of key areas in their home country. Recipients must work in their own country for two years on completion of the scholarship.

Working as a primary teacher in his home town of Goroka, Papua New Guinea, Liam saw firsthand the need for improvements in the standards of education, especially for children with disabilities.

He said that there was a lack of knowledge and awareness of disabilities, and a lack of quality education in Papua New Guinea.

“I would like to contribute to my country in the area of special and inclusive education, and everything that I have learned here at UC motivates me to go back and help in every way I can.

“I’ve enjoyed learning new things about disabilities and the disabilities services in New Zealand, the in-depth content of the courses I took, and generally the challenges I’ve encountered with my studies.”

Liam said he was looking forward to sharing the knowledge and skills he had learnt at UC with other teachers in his home country.

“The enhancement of my knowledge and skills here has made me more confident to go back and contribute to Papua New Guinea’s education system effectively and purposefully.”

Liam is one of 12 students who have completed study this year at UC thanks to a New Zealand Aid Scholarship. A further 85 students from 24 developing countries in Asia, Oceania, South America and Africa are studying in all Colleges and programmes in undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.

“I am so privileged, and I am grateful to the New Zealand Government for such an opportunity. I have friends who studied at UC and they told me about its high standards — it is one of the best universities in the world. I am pleased to have studied at such a quality university,” Liam said.

Scholarship recipient keen to take his knowledge home

New Zealand Aid Scholarship recipient Liam Sabak.

A UC team of mechanical engineering students has won the annual Australasian tertiary engineering design competition in Sydney.

The team of four undergraduate engineers — Matthew Purdy (captain), James Francis, Emma Sirett and Guus Jans — received more than $3000 for winning the final of the Warman competition.

A total of 16 teams competed, including the University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology.

The UC team was so impressive and convincing that it was not required to take part in the run-off final.

Senior lecturer Dr Don Clucas said as part of the engineering design competition the students had to design, build and compete with a device to achieve certain tasks.

“The challenge this year was to create a device that negotiated its way around a course to finish in a defined space not much bigger than the device. The device had to fit in a 400mm cube,” Dr Clucas said.

“That may not seem too difficult but in the middle of the course there is a 400mm wide crevice they had to cross and they could not leave anything on the track, like a bridge. Everything had to leave the start and arrive at the finish. Managing to do this once is admirable for first year students but what was more difficult here was doing it reliably. Time was also a critical factor. Whilst some international teams exceeded one minute ours did it reliably in 10 seconds.”

Dr Clucas was very impressed with the team.

“There was an exhaustive process of local competitions to find the best UC mechanical engineering team to send. This is a spectacular achievement,” he said.

Mechanical engineers outshine all in Australasian competition

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Professors Janinka Greenwood and John Everatt with their new book.

A two-year Masters in Education degree for 14 Bangladeshi students studying at UC has culminated in a book, Research and Educational Change in Bangladesh.

The book was co-edited by UC College of Education professors Janinka Greenwood and John Everatt, along with Ariful Haq Kabir from the University of Dhaka and Safayet Alam from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Education.

Many of the chapters in the book are based on the research undertaken by the teacher educators from Bangladesh in collaboration with UC staff.

“All of us came to realise that there was very little published research based on the Bangladesh context and even less written from a perspective that reflected Bangladeshi values and social understandings. We wanted to fill some of that gap,” Professor Greenwood said.

“Moreover, certain educational leaders in Bangladesh encouraged us to support their teacher educators who studied overseas to publish their research in ways that could promote educational change and development within Bangladesh. The book grew from these ideas and widened out to include Bangladeshi teacher educators who had studied in Australia as well as Christchurch.”

Those who completed the masters degree at UC have returned to their professional practice or begun further doctoral study.

Book studies educational change in Bangladesh

“Their contributions to this book reflect the developments in their thinking, and it is good to see that this development has led to collaboration and dialogue with colleagues from the Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka, who are also engaged in research and produced chapters for the book,” Professor Everatt said.

Professor Everatt said the book offered an initial contribution to the dream of local research contributing to educational change.

“It addresses current challenges in education in Bangladesh, using a range of research tools to probe practices and attitudes,” Professor Greenwood said.

“In some cases it indicates problems, but it also explores opportunities for change, and it does this from the perspectives of researchers who are either active participants in the life of Bangladesh and shapers of its educational processes, or their working colleagues. It thus prompts critical scrutiny of what is happening now and what could be done differently and perhaps better.”

The 15 chapters cover primary, secondary and higher education sectors in Bangladesh as well as issues of language and literacy, special/inclusive education, leadership and technology.

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More than 60 distinguished guests attended the recent celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the first honorary doctorate awarded by UC.

During the two-day event, guests spent time touring the UC campus, viewing UC’s treasures collection, going on a rebuild tour of the city, viewing the Transitional Cathedral and visiting architect Sir Miles Warren’s award-winning Ohinetahi gardens.

Those who attended were honoured to be a part of the festivities.

Dr Vivienne Burrows, wife of honorary doctorate recipient Dr Colin Burrows, said that she had never known such a great University occasion.

“I have been staggered by the generosity and hospitality. The Logie Collection and UC’s treasures reminded me of the international quality of UC and its future,” she said.

One hundred men and women have been awarded honorary doctorates over the past 50 years, all in recognition of outstanding contributions to their respective fields of work.

“Being offered the honorary doctorate has been the pinnacle of my career,” said Emeritus Professor John Burrows,

Celebration marks 50 years of honorary doctorates at UC

(From left) UC Registrar Jeff Field, Eileen Caygill, Dr David Caygill and UC Chancellor Dr John Wood outside Christchurch's Transitional Cathedral.

who received an honorary Doctor of Laws in 2012.

“I was really excited and delighted to be awarded the doctorate and, for that reason, it is great to be a part of this group of people.

“We have learnt how under pressure people have been and the job they have done is truly amazing. It gives us an insight into what is happening at the University.

“I have learnt things about the University that I didn’t know before,” said Professor Burrows.

“This event has rekindled my enthusiasm for the University of Canterbury,” said Dr Ian Leggat, who received an honorary Doctor of Laws in 1999.

Those who attended included former Cabinet minister Dr David Caygill; the first woman to be ordained in the New Zealand Methodist Church, Dame Phyllis Guthardt; businesswoman Adrienne, Lady Stewart; and architect Sir Miles Warren.

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What’s on at UC?

Chinese Film Festival 10 November Jack Mann Auditorium 7pm

Comedy Finding Mr Right will be screened in the Jack Mann Auditorium. All are welcome but please come early as seats are limited. The premiere is co-hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch and the Confucius Institute at the University of Canterbury. A film delegate from China will also be attending the premiere. Please RSVP to this event by contacting [email protected].

www.canterbury.ac.nz/events/

What if...Men could be mothers? 13 November Undercroft 101 6.30pm – 8pm

In this What if Wednesdays lecture, Associate Professor Annick Masselot (Accounting and Information Systems) will answer the questions: what has work-life balance got to do with men? Why do so many new parents find it difficult to balance work and family life? Why is it important to value work and care? What are women and men’s legal rights?

www.canterbury.ac.nz/wiw/

School of Fine Arts Open Day 13 November School of Fine Arts 10am – 7pm

You are warmly invited to take a stroll around the School of Fine Arts campus and studios. Submissions from students studying in the areas of sculpture, painting, photography, printmaking, film and graphic design are available for public viewing. Studios will be open throughout

the day with films screening continuously in the film studio viewing room in Block One. Drinks and nibbles will also be provided from 5pm, and you are invited to attend the award announcement for the exhibition Select 2013 in the Ilam Campus Gallery at 5.30pm.

www.canterbury.ac.nz/events/

What if…Christchurch becomes the city of bridges? 20 November Undercroft 101 6.30pm – 8pm

In this What if Wednesdays lecture, Dr Alessandro Palermo (Civil and Natural Resources Engineering) will look at the history of Christchurch bridges, how they performed in the Canterbury earthquakes and how we can improve their seismic resilience and turn Christchurch into a city of iconic and innovative bridges.


What if…We could make Canterbury businesses more resilient? 27 November Undercroft 101 6.30pm – 8pm

Dr Erica Seville (Civil and Natural Resources Engineering) and Dr John Vargo (Accounting and Information Systems) will discuss what we have learnt about business recovery from the Canterbury experience. Are there any patterns to which businesses survive

and thrive and is it worth businesses preparing for future disasters?


December Graduation Ceremony 18 December CBS Canterbury Arena, Addington 10am–12pm

Graduation ceremony for the faculties of Engineering and Forestry, Law and Commerce.

December Graduation Ceremony 18 December CBS Canterbury Arena, Addington 2pm–4pm

Graduation ceremony for the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences, Creative Arts, and Science.

December Graduation Ceremony 20 December CBS Canterbury Arena, Addington 10am–12pm

Graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Education.


The history of New Zealand theatre, the prints of a New Zealand artist, the life of a New Zealander committed to biculturalism, and Christchurch crimes dating from the Victorian era all feature in the latest books published by Canterbury University Press (CUP).

Rebellious Mirrors is the work of Dr Paul Maunder, who has had a lifelong career in New Zealand theatre, and is based on his PhD thesis which was completed at the University of Canterbury in 2011.

The book analyses the early production of theatre in New Zealand, investigates the experimental period of the 1970s, portrays the beginnings of Māori theatre, and gives a comprehensive portrait of a field of work during the period 1990–2010, work that took place within the contradictory framework of neo-liberalism.

Paikea: The Life of ILG Sutherland explores the life of scholar, cultural anthropologist and social activist Professor Ivan Sutherland (1897-1952), who was committed to a bicultural New Zealand and worked tirelessly to promote understanding of Māori aspirations in the first half of the 20th century.

Professor Sutherland, a former UC academic, was the first Pakeha scholar to recognise that Māori New Zealanders were heirs to their own cultural beliefs, customs and practices. He was committed to a bicultural New Zealand and was an enthusiastic advocate for Māori self-determination. This biography was written by Professor Sutherland's son Oliver Sutherland.

Lateral Inversions: The prints of Barry Cleavin by Melinda Johnston is a lavishly illustrated book with more than 120 colour

plates and drawings from Mr Cleavin’s vast output and presents a major representative survey of his prints from 1966 to 2012.

Mr Cleavin has played a significant role in the New Zealand art scene since the 1960s. In his prints, he maintains a consistently individual approach, with a style that is immediately recognisable yet ranges from lightly humorous parody through to caustic social comment.

A mysterious severed hand, a slander case involving a prominent merchant, bigamy, fraud and murder all feature in Christchurch Crimes and Scandals 1876-99, the latest offering from historian and UC alumnus Dr Geoffrey Rice.

Following on from Dr Rice’s previous book, Christchurch Crimes 1850-1875: Scandal and Skulduggery in Port and Town (CUP, 2012), this fascinating collection of tales of crime and scandal focuses on the late Victorian period of Christchurch’s history and offers readers an insight into a colourful and intriguing chapter in the city’s past.

The book draws on 19th century newspaper reports that cover the activities of a procession of lawbreakers who passed through the city’s courts, from apologetic drunks, shifty forgers, arsonists and brutal thugs, to women charged with infanticide and men charged with murder or manslaughter.

Dr Rice was formerly professor of history at UC, where his main fields of academic research included 18th century British foreign policy and the social history of medicine in New Zealand. His account of the 1918 influenza epidemic, Black November (CUP, 2005), was shortlisted for a Montana New Zealand Book award in 2006.

CUP books can be ordered online at www.cup.canterbury.ac.nz.

Sizzling new books for summer from CUP

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Chronicle, Vol 48 issue 5 - November 2013

Documents

Transcript of Chronicle, Vol 48 issue 5 - November 2013