Helping hand for NZ quake students

The academic year is well underway for students from the earthquake-affected University of Canterbury who are studying at the University of Adelaide for the first half of 2011.

The University of Adelaide offered Canterbury students the chance to undertake their first semester studies at Adelaide while their university recovered from the 22 February earthquake which devastated Christchurch.

The University of Canterbury is undergoing a "progressive restart" as its buildings are structurally assessed, and much of the teaching is taking place in temporary marquees on campus, off-site premises and online.

The 170 students who have come to Adelaide are studying Arts, Commerce or Sciences as part of the study abroad program and their studies will be credited towards their degree at Canterbury.

"The University of Adelaide has a special relationship with the University of Canterbury," said Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha.

"Christchurch is a sister city to Adelaide and our two universities are involved in a range of collaborations, such as in research. I have myself spent more than 20 years working in the New Zealand university system and, in fact, my first academic appointment was at Canterbury.

"Our sympathy and understanding extends to the people of Christchurch, and we see this as an opportunity to strengthen the ties between our two institutions at a time when it is most needed."

Professor McWha, together with other staff and a big contingent of student ambassadors from the International Student Centre, was at Adelaide Airport on 6 March to welcome the students who flew in on a specially chartered Qantas jet. They were bussed to the campus for a barbecue and welcome put on by the Adelaide University Union before meeting their homestay families or being taken to other student accommodation, including Adelaide's new Urbanest facility.

Their first morning at the University saw them officially welcomed in Bonython Hall, a ceremony attended by the Premier, the Hon. Mike Rann.

"The support from University staff, alumni and the Adelaide community for this initiative has been tremendous," said Professor McWha. "Staff across the University have put in an enormous effort in working through all the logistics of bringing such a large group of students to the campus in a very short time.

"These students are being welcomed with open arms and I think all of Adelaide is determined to ensure they enjoy their stay with us and find it personally and academically very rewarding."

The students have been overwhelmed by the support and interest they've received from the community and have expressed their gratitude for the opportunity they've been given.

On Friday 18 March they took time out from their studies to take part in a memorial event to coincide with the National Christchurch Earthquake Memorial Service in Christchurch, joining family and friends at a live screening of the service to acknowledge the lives lost and other devastation.

Following this private event, a service was held in St Peter's Cathedral attended by the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, Premier Rann, Lord Mayor of Adelaide Stephen Yarwood and the University of Adelaide's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Mike Brooks.

A student from the University of Adelaide joined Canterbury students in lighting candles in memory of those who had died in the earthquake, and the bells tolled following two minutes silence.

University of Canterbury Vice Chancellor Dr Rod Carr said: "We are grateful to our sister city of Adelaide and our academic family at your university."

Story by Robyn Mills