Throughout the long history of the library and information sector in Aotearoa qualifications and capability building within the profession have been of crucial importance. LIANZA made history 81 years ago in 1942 by establishing the first library certificate course. The master's programme has been empowering professionals for 27 years.
Now, more than ever, LIANZA believes that the post-graduate information management programmes at Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka hold immense significance. The programmes are instrumental in nurturing highly skilled information professionals who make substantial contributions to organisations and communities across Aotearoa.
The review consultation begins on June 26 – so we urge you to share your concern and support now to have an impact before the consultation begins. A campaign to encourage the government to provide more funding support to universities is also underway.
Show your support by:
- Writing a letter to your MP or the Minister of Education Jan Tinetti about the importance of teaching and research across the university (and specifically in information studies)
- Writing a letter to the university expressing your support for the programme.
Please send to:- Professor Nic Smith, Vice Chancellor Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka e: [email protected]
- cc Professor Jane Bryson Dean of the Wellington School of Business and Government – Ōrauariki e: [email protected]
- cc Information Studies Programme e: [email protected]
- Sign the petition asking the government to provide universities with the funds to stop impending cuts:
https://www.together.org.nz/provide_tertiary_institutions_a_funding_boost_to_enable_good_long_term_staffing_decisions
- Share your personal story or testimonial on social media about how your information studies post-graduate qualification has supported your career:
- LinkedIn: Tag in @Victoria University of Wellington or
Join the Information Studies Programme LinkedIn group and post your story of support - Facebook: Post on your own page and tag @Te Herenga Waka—Wellington Uni
- Twitter: Post and tag @InfoStudiesWgtn and @WellingtonUni.
- Use the tag #SaveVUW in your posts.
- LinkedIn: Tag in @Victoria University of Wellington or
July 6, 2023
Thank you to everyone who supported the campaign to keep the Information Studies Programme at Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington which was one of those under review by the Vice-Chancellor.
Here is an update on the review from the Information Studies Programme.
Firstly, Professor Anne Goulding comments:
“We are incredibly grateful to all those who wrote and lobbied. Our Dean of Faculty specifically mentioned the number of representations she had received lobbying for Information Studies. And if the Vice-Chancellor previously wasn't very clear on who we are or what we do, he certainly does now!”
Current status of the Information Studies Programme:
Information Studies was "in scope" on the list of programmes to be reviewed in the Vice-Chancellor’s initial presentations to achieve university financial sustainability. The review was to determine whether those "in scope" programmes should be cut and/or discontinued.
Following the review, a formal proposal was published. In the formal proposal, the decision was taken that Information Studies would not be discontinued and was now out of scope.
However, the School of Information Management (which Information Studies is part of) has to lose two academic staff members at senior lecturer/associate professor level. These could come from either Information Studies or Information Systems, or a combination.
Now, with the Government’s additional funding, the proposal is being revised. Information Studies staff have the impression that the additional funding will be directed towards trying to save those programmes to be discontinued, rather than reversing cuts to other programmes, so the two academic staff members may still be lost. But it seems that the Information Studies programme will continue.