Future business professionals showcase industry research at Wintec

Business and Enterprise ākonga (students) studying with Wintec recently showcased their applied learning and industry insights at a research conference at the tertiary institute’s City Campus.

Ten ākonga presented their findings on a range of topics, including a human resource (HR) approach to the gender wage gap in the information technology industry, utilising artificial intelligence to streamline supply chain management in supermarket sectors, staff retention in accounting firms, and neurodiversity and systemic barriers in HR. 

Each presenter was critiqued by a panel of judges, consisting of Wintec tutors and the event’s international guest speaker, Jules Verheesen, Lecturer and Coach of Sustainable Supply Chain Management at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.

The event's international guest speaker, Jules Verheesen from Zuyd University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands

Jules commented on the professionalism of each presentation and how “positively informal and relaxed” the conference was.

His trip to Aotearoa New Zealand was made possible through a teaching exchange as part of Wintec’s international partnership with Zuyd University.

“I like the environment of the Wintec campus, the greenery, it’s so open. I like the way you are teaching in such a small environment with around ten people. Being able to communicate, ask questions and help students, I really enjoy that,” said Jules.

Wintec's Hamilton City Campus

During his time in the Waikato, he explored Wintec’s Centre for Business and Enterprise, connecting with kaiako (tutors) and ākonga on sustainable supply chain topics. He also took in Māori and New Zealand cultures.

In keeping with the theme of international collaboration, visiting Business and Commerce teachers from various institutions across China also attended the conference.

To close the conference, Hong Wei (Andrew), Deputy Dean of the Zhejiang Financial College’s International Business School in China, shared his reflections.

“All of the students here today were very impressive; their reports are very meaningful and focus on the real issues and social problems,” said Andrew.

Hong Wei (Andrew), Deputy Dean of the Zhejiang Financial College’s International Business School in China

The international group is wrapping up a three-week professional development programme hosted by Wintec, delivered in partnership with the China Education Association for International Exchange as part of the institute’s ongoing international collaboration.