Graduation a celebration for students nationwide

Mr Chou, the council’s Information Services Group Manager, yesterday received one of the most challenging and prestigious qualifications available at the University, the Master of Business Administration, or MBA.

“I started my MBA journey with the University of Auckland in 2012, with a Postgraduate Diploma in Business, before progressing to the MBA in 2016,” Mr Chou says.

“Sometimes I have to question how I pulled it off. I moved to Oamaru last year which meant a nine-hour round trip across air and road to attend classes. When the weather was tricky, like heavy rain in summer and snow in winter, travelling became more difficult, sometimes even dangerous.

“But I did pull it off and I am so pleased with my achievement. I met some of New Zealand’s best business students of diverse backgrounds and professional skills, and have refined my management style to suit the business environment of this country,” he says.

Mr Chou relocated from China to New Zealand in 2011.

“I am very keen to put the knowledge gained from my MBA to good use helping the Waitaki District Council to deliver better services and communication to the community of the Waitaki, and sustainably strengthen this beautiful district’s economy. The Waitaki District is one that is embarking on some very exciting opportunities and is punching well above its weight, and I look forward to adding value on that journey.”

The University of Auckland’s Autumn Graduation is one of New Zealand’s largest celebrations of academic achievement. More than 4,000 students attended the ceremonies which included a procession along Queen Street and the conferring of degrees and diplomas at Aotea Square.