Prof. Jan ThomasPresentation title: Students as Partners: How Massey University is Leaning into our Collective Future
Abstract
Thirty years ago, the notion of “student-centred learning environments” was radical. As a young academic, the notion excited me; but I feared it was a trend that wouldn’t last. Thankfully I was wrong! Massey University prides itself on the incredible diversity of students we serve, and the impact our learning environments have on students, their families and their communities. We have moved now towards the notion of “students as partners” and embrace the student voice in our decision making. What are our students telling us, and how do we use this to imagine the future of universities? In our fast-moving and always-changing global environment how do we get ahead of the curve, and ensure university education is contemporary, relevant, and research-led into the future?
Bio
Professor Jan Thomas has served as Vice-Chancellor of Massey University in New Zealand from 2017. Prior to this Professor Thomas served as Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia for five years. She has held various senior executive positions at Murdoch University and the University of Notre Dame Australia from 2003.Professor Thomas has been on the Board of numerous organisations in Australia, notably chairing the Library Board of Queensland, and as a board member and trustee of Mercy Care Ltd in Australia. She is currently a member of the Hong Kong University Grants Committee, chairs the Quality Assurance Council for UGC and Chair of Universities New Zealand