Huia Hopkirk

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Huia combines her love of people with her interest in computer systems. While enrolled in the Bachelor of Science programme, she worked part time during the first two years and took some summer courses as well.

She took the computer science specialisation, and is particularly interested in website development and cloud computing. "I found the lectures very good; they are well-structured, and the lecturers are very friendly and tell you what you need to know."

Āwhina, the on-campus whanau (family) for Maori and Pacific students was an important part of her experience at Victoria. "I was involved with Āwhina from my second year. I felt quite isolated in my first year, but through Āwhina I met some amazing people, and was encouraged to mentor other students as I went on."

Over the summer of 2010 / 2011, Huia was involved in research for Āwhina into a new language called 'newspeak', testing design patterns, and developing a Maori maths-testing programme for children.

"I really enjoyed my study, and it was good to have some flexibility. Not only was the theory covered thoroughly, but I also gained experience in industry and in the professional aspects of being an engineer, with courses in ethics and project and risk management. Victoria University offered everything I was looking for in my tertiary study."