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Monday 4 July 2022 3:47pm

Diane Ruwhiu new GRS deputy dean image 3
Associate Professor Diane Ruwhiu is excited to start in her new role.

The Graduate Research School’s first Deputy Dean Associate Professor Diane Ruwhiu is looking forward to sharing her knowledge on Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, but also to learning about the GRS community.

Associate Professor Ruwhiu teaches Māori business, management and organisation in the Otago Business School’s Department of Management.

She is an experienced postgraduate supervisor and teacher, having been awarded an University of Otago teaching award and an Ako Aotearoa teaching excellence award, both in the Kaupapa Māori category, in 2021.

Her research focuses on elements of Māori economic development, specifically understanding the modes of economy within which Māori enterprise operate and considering success factors for Māori business. Current research also includes, indigenising business education, enabling vision mātauranga in science sector research and future of work.

She had enjoyed her interactions with the GRS over the years, saying whenever she contacted the GRS with a supervisory query, nothing was ever a problem. The staff at the GRS would work to resolve issues quickly and perhaps more importantly, in a friendly and personable manner.

“I see this as an opportunity to work with another University community, outside of the Business School, who share a real excitement and tenacity for the work they do, and the people we support,” Associate Professor Ruwhiu says.

“I think it’s going to be fun and challenging, but also exciting, to work with this GRS community.”

GRS Dean Professor David Baxter says the new role was created to provide expanded leadership at the School, but also it was an opportunity to bring someone on board with deep knowledge of, and commitment to, Te Ao Māori.

David Baxter and Diane Ruwhiu GRS deputy dean image 2
Graduate Research School Dean Professor David Baxter, left, with Deputy Dean Associate Professor Diane Ruwhiu.

“As recently appointed Dean, one of the things I’m very interested in is making what we do more culturally engaged, more culturally safe, particularly for Māori and Pacific students.”
Professor Baxter says the GRS is working to widen participation in graduate research studies and put systems in place to support Māori and Pacific students, ensuring they have the best experience completing their graduate research studies.

What can set Otago apart from other universities internationally is its commitment to incorporating Māori and Pacific culture into all its programmes. It is a point of difference many international students find enriching, he says.

“It's important that everyone who studies at Otago understands and feels confident in their ability to engage with the diverse communities we have in New Zealand. And it’s also enriching for students from overseas: in my experience, it’s something in which international students find value.

“If you can frame it appropriately, and engage people in this throughout their journey, they come to see that it is naturally a part of what they do, how they live.

“It’s important to our country and for our future because it affects everybody, even if people can’t immediately see how it affects them directly.”

Associate Professor Ruwhiu agrees, adding that engaging with Te Tiriti o Waitangi also encourages upskilling, and a developing of new perspectives and capabilities.

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