Archived Graduation Nights: 2009
Class of 2009 Celebrate Their Graduation
Each year the New Zealand Maritime School holds its Graduation Ceremony, and students from the freight and logistics courses receive their awards in front of an audience of family and friends and industry representatives. The event is an important occasion in every student’s life, as it marks a threshhold as they move from training and student life into the commercial world of freight and transport.
For the 2009 class graduation, the NZMS chose a new venue- the ground floor foyer of their building in Auckland, and Nigel Jones, General Manager Supply Chain, at Fonterra headed the speaking team with some sound advice about the industry, and a broad appreciation of how the supply chain influences every New Zealander….
“Supply chain is the great “invisible industry” of New Zealand, but the country and our population are totally dependent upon the supply chain management being done and done well,” according to Nigel Jones, the General Manager (Supply Chain) at Fonterra, when speaking to graduating logistics and freight students at the New Zealand Maritime School in May.
Mr Jones said that many people did not realise that the supply chain industry underpins the whole New Zealand economy.”Everything from the toothpaste you use each morning to the fresh produce in our stores, to cars and tvs, and every item of clothing you wear is a product of the supply chain,” he said.
“The logistics industry has changed rapidly over the years. It is remarkable that the container of potato crisps which you see and eat in England is exactly the same product which is now available in New Zealand. .. and it is only available because of the supply chain which delivered it, and continues to deliver it into the future to meet demand.”
About 90 graduates, friends and families gathered for the 2010 graduation ceremony, to be welcomed by Dr Tim Wilson, Director of the School, and to receive their certificates and prizes from members of the School’s teaching faculty. Mr Jones is a key figure within Fonterra and he has a high profile within the industry also, as he represents a very major New Zealand exporter…
“As a major exporter, we (Fonterra) are talking to Government constantly about upping the productivity within New Zealand, but equally important is a better and smarter supply chain,” he said.
“At the end of the day our export sales are driven by price. … and overseas customers just want to know the landed cost. They are comparing New Zealand milk-based products with those from Australia, Asia, the USA, and Brazil… but it is a cost based decision they are making.
“Because we are distant from most of our markets, we have to produce at the lowest cost possible to make up for the higher freight costs in landing and delivering the product. That is why we need the biggest economy of scale possible, which is why we are always to the forefront in discussions about infrastructure, rail, port and transport….”
Mr Jones said that demographics of the country meant that in the future, there will be a lot less people contributing but a lot more consuming.
“We will consume more because the population is growing….. but aging, so there will be a lot less people actually making it happen- the delivery through the supply chain, and with customer expectations increasing all the time, speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness will be key issues.”
New Zealand customers had all the same expectations as customers in other markets much closer to the source of production, and the market had to meet those customer expectations.
Mr Jones said that the freight sector was continuing to develop rapidly. Warehousing, distribution, automation and technology were key elements now in this sector.
“At Fonterra, we have recently been working with some science graduates about developing new technology and automation, and the success of our pilot studies means that we are now talking to some of the biggest companies in the world about this….
“These are not necessarily science projects but for all students, achievement of a certificate or degree is not the end of their journey. It should be the beginning, because education opens so many doors for the future. You have the option to go on and do more study. Education never ends. Once one programme is finished, it opens doors for you to do more, and we need that expertise…. take your learning.. and look for opportunities to apply that learning to industry and commerce. You have a fantastic baseline of understanding now that can be applied to any industry,” he told the graduates.
“You have the knowledge now of the process of learning. The process of learning is about learning how to learn, and that will open new doors for you all in the future, if you want it.”
Mr Jones said that he had left school in the UK with 4 O levels. He had developed his career with maritime qualifications before completing a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting, and then doing as Master degree at Cranfield University in the UK, which is now one of the top universities in Europe.
“Much of my study was done extramurally by distance learning, so I know how hard that is, and how socially remote you become…. But all my opportunities have come from that education which I gained.”
2007 Graduation
Top student Yadong Li (Emma) won the Tasman Orient Line Prize for the Diploma in Shipping and Freight at the class of 2007 Graduation Ceremony, presented by Ms Liz Bentley, CEO of Tasman Orient Line.
Business Nights: Class of 2007 Student Graduation
Each year the New Zealand Maritime School holds its Graduation Ceremony, and students from the freight and logistics courses receive their awards, in front of an audience of family and friends and industry representatives. The event is an important occasion in every student’s life, as it marks a threshhold as they move from training and student life into the commercial world of freight and transport.
For the class of 2007, the NZMS Graduation ceremony in Auckland on April 9, 2008, was led by Ms Liz Bentley, CEO of Tasman Orient Line, who presented the keynote address and handed out the awards and certificates. Her thoughtful address to students can be found on this site at press room, but the presentations of awards from the evening’s activities are shown below. Go to Press Room for a full report on Ms Bentley’s presentation address.
The School and the NZMS Alumni recognise the contribution of all the sponsors who have supported the programme with prizes and scholarships, more notably Pacific Forum Line, Tasman Orient Line, Quadrant Pacific, Shipping New Zealand, the NZ Shippers Council, In2store, and Cargowise EDI NZ Ltd. The ceremony is hosted by the New Zealand Maritime School, and the Director Tim Wilson, and all tutors from the courses attend the event.
In the future, there will be other important business occasions which involve students from the NZMS and former students who are now members of the NZMS Alumni. This website will keep you up to date on these events. Bookmark this site now for details of forthcoming business nights for former NZMS students. Take advantage of free online registration to receive email reminders of these functions.
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| Senior Lecturer Dave Hope (right) says a big “thank you” to John MacLennan, CEO of Pacific Forum Line, for his company’s continuing support for the NZMS shipping, freight and logistics training programmes. | Greg Steed from the NZ Shippers Council makes his presentation to students, before NZMS tutors and industry guests at the “top table”. | Uttam Jha receives the award from Cargowise EDI (NZ) Ltd, represented by Brett Wilton. |
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| Dev Chand receives the PFL Scholarship, Diploma in Shipping and Freight, from PFL Chief Executive John MacLennan. | Uttam Jha was the winner of the PFL Prize, Diploma in Shipping and Freight, presented by PFL CEO John MacLennan. | Nicholas Bell receives the TOL Prize for the Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management, and the Graduate Certiificate in Shipping from Liz Bentley. |
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| Samantha Sharp receives the Quadrant Pacific Scholarship, Diploma in Shipping and Freight, from Liz Bentley. | Yarostav Nikitin receives the TOL Scholarship, Diploma in Shipping and Freight, from Liz Bentley. | Simon Ellwood receives the TOL prize for the Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management from Liz Bentley. |
Not shown in this photographic selection is NZMS student, Adam Coker, who received the In2store prize for the Certificate of Logistics as part of the Graduation Ceremony.