Well, I gave away 13/14 books yesterday and some had up to 6 requests – nice to find new homes for them, Dave.

Policy, Management & People

1. Earnings Data Steven Joyce has welcomed a new MOE report (available here) that looks at differences in incomes and employment rates for different qualifications (Fairfax, ODT, Radiolive, Idealog, 3 News, Newstalk ZB, Radio NZ). Students (TVNZ) and Grant Robertson (TelstraClear) say the stats are nothing new, and APEX president Peter Gene disputes the figures for medical grads.
2. Postgrad Allowances Grant Robertson says it isn’t fair to deny student allowances to postgrad students part way through their qualifications, and an Otago Uni student feels duped by the changes.
3. Illegal Images Former Massey lecturer Neville Honey has been fined $5000 and sentenced to 15 months supervision after admitting 25 charges of possessing objectionable material.
4. WITT… needs increased govt funding, say business leaders after a glowing report of its regional economic impact.
5. Extras: summer school enrolments up 9% at Otago Uni.

Research & Innovation

1. Beached Whales… in Invercargill being studied by Otago Uni’s Prof Ewan Fordyce.
2. Mental Health… is improved and psychological distress reduced after the birth of a parent’s first child, according to Otago Uni’s Sarah McKenzie and Kristie Carter (TelstraClear, ODT, 3 News).
3. Cat Killers Otago Uni research suggests domestic cats have a significant impact on native wildlife, while Unitec’s Mark Farnworth estimates there are 1.4 million cats nation-wide.
4. NZers in Oz… are generally proud of their heritage but change their accent, says Canterbury’s Rosemary Baird (Yahoo, NZ Herald, 3 News).
5. E-Learning Canterbury’s Julie Mackey and Prof Niki Davis are studying how school principals can effectively lead e-learning to improve student success.
6. Extras: Auckland’s Prof Lynnette Ferguson on diet and inflammation; Otago Uni student researching southern right whale sounds.

Public Issues

1. Googling Jurors… by lawyers could raise ethical issues depending on what the info is used for, says Auckland’s Prof Warren Brookbanks.
2. Genetic Testing Otago Uni’s Dee Mangin is alarmed by the increasing popularity of internet-based genetic testing services.
3. Cathedral Landmark Canterbury’s Stefano Pampanin says Bob Parker’s plan for the Christchurch Cathedral is achievable.
4. Burger Ads AUT’s Martin Waiguny on the use of social media by the Carl’s Jr burger chain.
5. Extras: Laidlaw’s Peter Carrell on life in NZ; Auckland’s Steven Tatuva on Fiji’s electoral system; Auckland’s Cheryl Krull on kauri dieback disease; adviser defends Gottfried Lindauer work from Victoria’s Roger Blakeley’s fake claims.

Students

1. African OE Two Massey grads are planning to visit Jinja, Uganda, to work with a creative industries business.
2. Volunteers Five WelTec plumbing grads are volunteering to help repair cyclone damage in Samoa.
3. Extras: Richie McCaw reportedly dating Massey student and Black Sticks midfielder Gemma Flynn.

Stakeholders

1. Oil and Gas Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council reps attended a presentation at Otago Uni on the next round of petroleum exploration permits.
2. Victoria… will collaborate with the Mental Health Foundation on a series of Maori suicide seminars.
3. Science Internships Five Waikato students are working at Hill Laboratories over the summer.
4. BOPP Restaurant One married couple has been dining at BOPP’s Atrium training restaurant for 16 years.
5. Waiariki… has partnered with Rotorua District Council and local suppliers to create the Woodfirst Product Design comp for senior students and youth aged 15-18.

Teaching & Learning

1. Recipes Otago Uni’s Daniel Pfyl shares an animal-friendly dairy and egg-free chocolate cake recipe.
2. Skill Shortages Aoraki recommends focusing study choices towards industries with skill shortages.
3. Nanny Course Aoraki has been accredited to offer the NZ Certificate in Nanny Education (Level 5).
4. Youth Guarantee… places still available at Aoraki.
5. Extras: Massey grad finalist in iD Emerging Designer Awards.