The University of Auckland is New Zealand's largest research-based university by student numbers. Established in 1883 as a constituent college of the University of New Zealand, the university is now made up of eight faculties over six campuses, and has more than 33,500 students according to the University of Auckland's page (http://www.auckland.ac.nz/cir_visitors/index.cfm?action=display_page&page_title=history).

Locations

The Clock Tower building on the City campus

The City campus, in central Auckland, has the bulk of the students and faculties. It covers 160,000 m².

The Tamaki campus, established in 1991, covers 320,000 m² in the suburb of Glen Innes, 12 km from the City campus. The degrees available here are based on Health, Sports Science, Environmental Science, Information Technology, Communications and Electronics, Materials and Manufacturing, Food and Biotechnology, and Information Management.

The Medical and Health Services Campus, established in 1968, is located close to the City Campus in the suburb of Grafton, opposite Auckland Hospital. The Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and the department of Optometry are based here.

The North Shore Campus, established in 2001, is located in the suburb of Takapuna. It offers a Bachelor of Business and Information Management degree.

On 1 September 2004, the Auckland College of Education amalgamated with the University to form the newest Faculty of the University (by merging the School of Education (previously part of the Arts Faculty) and the college). The faculty is based at the existing college campus at Epsom with an additional campus in Whangarei.

Current Events

The University is currently developing a new business school building, following the completion of the new Information Commons, to revitalize the School of Business.

The Business School also boasts one of the strongest International Business departments in Asia Pacific, offering two masters programmes, a Master of Commerce in International Business and a Master of International Business.

The Business School has recently gained International Accrediations for all its Programmes and now completes the "Triple Crown" (AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB).

Recently the former Vice_Chancellor, Dr John Hood (PhD, LLD), was appointed Chancellor of the University of Oxford. Professor Stuart McCutcheon (currently Vice-Chancellor at the Victoria University of Wellington) will succeed Dr. Hood from 1 January 2005. In the interim, Prof. Raewyn Dalziel (professor of history) is serving as Vice-Chancellor.

The University is ranked #1 in the 2003 Performance Base Research Funds exercise conducted by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).

In its overall findings, the Commission commented: “On virtually any measure, the University of Auckland is the country’s leading research university. Not only did it achieve the highest quality score of any TEO [tertiary education organisation], but it also has by far the largest share of A-rated researchers in the country.”

The full report can be viewed be viewed here (http://www.auckland.ac.nz/Docs/research/pbrf_report_full.pdf).

Faculties

• Arts
• Business and Economics
• Creative Arts and Industries
• Education
• Engineering
• Law
• Medical and Health Sciences
• Science

Schools outside faculties

• Theology

Auckland University Students' Association

The Auckland University Students Association (AUSA) represents students at the University. AUSA publicises student issues, administers student facilities, and assists affiliated student clubs and societies. AUSA also produces Craccum and bFM.

Craccum

Craccum is the weekly newspaper produced by the AUSA. The name originated from the scrambled acronym of "Auckland University College Men's Common Room Circular".

The publication has frequently found itself in legal difficulties due to its deliberate attempts to be controversial. These attempts have included an issue containing methods to create a bomb, and an issue discussing ways to commit suicide.

bFM

95bFM (or simply 'bFM') is a fairly typical student radio station that plays a lot of alternative music. Like other student broadcasters, it supports local artists well before they become mainstream.

Prominent alumni and alumnae

• Helen Clark, Prime Minister, New Zealand
• Sian Elias, New Zealand Chief Justice since 17 May 1999
• Jeanette Fitzsimons, New Zealand politician and environmentalist
• Winston Peters, politician
• Justice Anthony Randerson, New Zealand Chief High Court Judge from December 2004
• Ronald Syme, preeminent classicist of the 20th century

External links

• The university's website (http://www.auckland.ac.nz/)
• Auckland College of Education/University of Auckland Proposed Amalgamation Update site (http://jointtaskforce.cgnz.com/)
• Auckland University Students Association (http://www.ausa.auckland.ac.nz/) (AUSA)
• Craccum (http://www.craccum.com/)
• 95bFM (http://www.95bfm.co.nz/)