Research
Research is an essential component of any university or tertiary institution that awards Bachelors or Masters degrees. At IPU New Zealand, our research is used to inform our teaching, develop our courses, inspire our students and keep our lecturers up-to-date with developments in their specialist areas.
In this digital age, with increasing access to large amounts of information, a key requirement of employers is for graduates to have the ability to carry out research of a complex nature. Research generates ideas, encourages employees to investigate problems in a structured way and come up with better solutions.
Policy for AI Use in Academic Research at IPU New Zealand
IPU New Zealand allows the use of AI in research as a tool only. The researcher, whether an undergraduate or postgraduate student or a staff member, is responsible for maintaining the agency, transparency, and accountability of their research.
Agency. The researcher must conduct their own research and maintain control over all aspects of their research. It is the responsibility of the researcher to be aware of the capabilities, limitations, and safety issues of any AI technologies they use and to use them in a controlled manner as research tools.
Transparency. A fundamental principle of academic research has always been transparency. Therefore, the use of AI technologies must be declared and enough detail provided to clarify how these technologies have been implemented in their research.
Accountability. The researcher must be accountable for their own research, including their methodologies and how conclusions are drawn. An AI tool cannot be an author of any research output, such as a thesis or conference presentation, and therefore cannot be cited. The human author(s) must take responsibility for everything they present in oral, written and/or visual form.
Postgraduate research
To meet the requirements of the New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA), and in line with other New Zealand universities and tertiary institutions, our postgraduate Diplomas and Masters programmes contain substantial research components. They go on to select from a range of research options which may include an academic thesis or applied research within companies or non-profit organisations.
Understanding the educational experiences of Vietnamese university students who pursue higher education programmes in New Zealand - Thi My Duyen Nguyen
This research project examines the teaching and learning experiences of Vietnamese students in higher education in New Zealand. Its aims to explore how they adapt to teaching and learning in New Zealand and gain insight into the difficulties they may encounter. Using a two-stage approach, the results of the twelve semi-structured interviews were used to inform the development of on-line survey. Over 100 Vietnamese students who were currently studying at tertiary level in New Zealand took part in the survey. In general, the findings from the research are in line with the existing literature. Within the teaching situation, students were positive about the quality of their lecturers. Within the learning situation, understanding assignments instructions, writing essays, the use of referencing, completing the required course readings and interactions were found to be particularly difficult for students. Low level of English language proficiency were found to be a background theme running through the results; however, more research will be need to determine the causal link.
Sustainable Housing in Palmerston North - Rashmi Salopal
This research examines initiatives taken by Palmerston North City Council (PNCC) to increase awareness for sustainable housing, together with the barriers to sustainable housing practices for Palmerston North residents. Primary data for the research were collected from Palmerston North residents through postal questionnaires selected randomly from the electoral roll 2013. One of the key findings show that less half of the sample was aware that the PNCC is offering free consultation service which can help them to renovate their existing home or build a new healthy energy efficient home. The findings also show lack of knowledge amongst people when it comes to long-term benefits that they can yield by a healthy energy efficient home. The research findings were discussed and concluded to provide suggestions for policy makers and PNCC so that they can increase engagement of Palmerston North residents in sustainable housing practices.
The Tambon Internet Project in Rayong Province of Thailand for the Samnakthon Rural Community: A study of its operation, challenges, and problems - Sanirat Ketkaew
E-government is of interest to both developed and developing countries as a new way to enhance democracy, transparency, and effectiveness of governmental administration by using information and communication technology (ICT). However, just technology cannot push many developing countries to achieve the goals as they expect. 85% of e-government projects in developing countries are failures (Heeks, 2003) and rural residents in many countries are still unable to access and benefit from the internet. For this reason, this research aims to explore whether the Tambon Internet project, a nationwide e-government project in rural of Thailand, is successful or not. In this study, the Tambon Internet project in Samnakthon community was selected to find whether it is successfully operated by the local government or not, and what are the main problems and challenges of this project. Mixed methods of quantitative survey(questionnaires), and qualitative interview was used in this study. The research findings show that the local government officers thought that the project was not successful due to the low rate of users and lack of interest shown by the majority of community members. Low rate of use was also confirmed in results obtained through questionnaires, and among other reasons were lack of awareness and computer skills to participate. The research also found that "English" language was a barrier in learning computer and the Internet skills. However, all respondents were satisfied with this project and thought it was beneficial to the community.
Dollarisation in the Vietnam Economy - Thi My Duyen Nguyen
This thesis utilises the recent economic statistics to analyse the phenomenon of dollarisation in Vietnam during the time of period of 1995-2011 by performing a secondary data analysis on an annual basis in the examined period. The purpose is to identify the phenomenon in Vietnam, how different it is to that in other countries, what are costs and benefits of dollarisation and how to make use of benefits and minimise costs. The thesis concluded that dollarisation in Vietnam was high during the period but the effects of other factors are different from what happened in other countries. Because of the differences, the thesis recommends that theoretical revisits are needed before implementing policy measures to deal with dollarisation. Dollarisation in Vietnam provides a distinctive case that could be a good reference for economists in reviewing the phenomenon.
Developing Marketing strategies for Ho May Cultural and Ecotourism Park in Vietnam
Nguyen, - Lam Phoung Thao
This research aimed to develop marketing strategies for Ho May Cultural and Ecotourism Park, and also explore how the development of ecotourism contributes to benefit Vietnamese people by investigating the current status of eco-tourism in Vietnam, domestic tourists' attitudes towards eco-tourism, the aesthetic and cultural values as well as the value for money eco-tourism provides to tourists, the ways for Ho May Cultural and Eco-tourism Park to attract tourists and the benefits of eco-tourism. Design/methodology/approach - Self-completion questionnaires were distributed to respondents mainly living in the South of Vietnam. Data from 270 completed questionnaires were analysed using a variety of statistical techniques including correlation analysis and ANOVA. Answers to open-ended questions were also used where necessary to delve deeper into the domestic tourists' attitudes towards eco-tourism, their decisions to join eco-tours as well as their expectations from eco-tourism in the local area. One of the major findings is that, the reasons influencing respondents' decisions to join eco-tours are significantly correlated with outcomes associated with joining eco-tours and expectations from eco-tourism in the local area. Furthermore, differences in gender and age have significant influence on the amount of money Visitors are willing to pay for their eco-tours. The overall conclusions and discussion of the findings provide a framework for the practical planning and implementation of marketing strategies in the eco-tourism context in Vietnam.
Undergraduate research - Bachelor of Contemporary International Studies programme
Unlike most universities and tertiary institutions, IPU New Zealand starts teaching research skills to its students at the undergraduate Diploma and Bachelor levels. It is at the core of our curriculum. For example, students in the Bachelor programme must complete two 15-credit courses (Research Skills 1 & 2) before going on to work on a 30-credit research project which is often in excess of 15,000 words. Furthermore, to recognise the importance of undergraduate research, an annual award ceremony is held for students who excel in their projects.
Environmental Issues in Japan and Thailand: Management and Cooperation
Kantheera Wongpiyanuntakul - Japanese Studies major (Distinction)
This secondary project focuses on environmental issues in Japan and Thailand brought about by economic growth and natural causes which are air pollution, water pollution, waste generation, plus earthquakes in Japan and floods in Thailand. It aims to discover the problems, management, and the cooperation between these two countries. The study investigates Japan and Thailand's own means of managing these problems which are quite different. For Japan, data collection and research are the keys to practical measures. Planning in advance is also what Japanese people do. On the contrary, the Thai government pays attention more to its economic growth. Therefore, when a disaster hits Thailand, the country solves that particular problem one by one. Prevention is hardly applied. For that reason, the cooperation to manage environmental issues between the two countries was started. When floods occurred in Thailand in 2011, a Japanese relief team was sent to help suffering people as well as recover industrial areas. Japan also provided technological support for Thailand. In return, Thailand helps Japan financially. To conclude, this research suggests that Thailand learns from what Japan does to improve itself and at the same time Japan can learn from Thailand's disasters when it visits the country to help.
The benefits and risks of genetically modified organisms in food production: Implications for Indonesia
Husyati Amaliah - International Environmental Studies major (Distinction)
Genetic modification is considered as a significant development in agricultural technology after the green revolution. It promises significant benefits through its application in food production. These benefits are accompanied by risks that threaten the environment, society and economy. As a developing country with an ever-growing population, Indonesia sees genetically modified food as an opportunity to ensure food security. This interdisciplinary project investigates the implications of genetic modification application in Indonesia's commercial food production through the analysis of benefits and risks of genetically modified organisms in food production using a secondary research method. The overall finding indicates that genetically modified food has the potential to achieve its promised benefits in Indonesia. Furthermore, Indonesia has anticipated the risks of its application and has created a set of regulations to mitigate these risks with the help of international organisations and other countries. Nevertheless, Indonesia still needs to be more independent before it is ready to apply genetically-modified organisms in its commercial food production.
Advantages and disadvantages of using offshore islands for conservation - The case study of the takahe in New Zealand
Nghiem, Gilbért Minh Quang- International Environmental Studies major (Distinction)
This interdisciplinary project was developed in the context where the world environment is at great risk and many species have been driven to the edge of extinction. This includes all marine, fauna and flora species. Thus, the research project investigates the efficiency of a common conservation strategy, which is using offshore islands to preserve endangered species. Throughout conservation history, using offshore islands has achieved significant success. To illustrate how offshore islands affect the species survival, a case study of the takahe in New Zealand is included in the research. A secondary research methodology, which utilises available secondary sources such as books, reports and social commentary is used to build up the theory framework. Lastly, the researcher proposes various strategies to overcome the disadvantages of using islands to maximise the outcomes for conservation.
The Impacts of Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia - Tracey Nielsen - International Relations major (Distinction)
Human trafficking and modern day slavery has emerged as the fastest growing transnational crime of the century. Human trafficking is a significant regional development issue for Southeast Asia due to the wide ranging impacts on the social, economic and political structures of society, and regional responses are forming at a rapid pace. Whilst each country has varying challenges and shares similar causes for why trafficking is prevalent, each country has specific circumstances and challenges that are unique. This research was conducted using secondary research methodology to examine the causes, impacts and solutions related to internal, inter-regional and transnational trafficking occurring in Southeast Asia. Using relevant primary and secondary sources the researcher explored how widely entrenched human trafficking is, what the implications are for not only the state, but also the victims. Lastly, the research took a critical review of how each region is dealing with specific challenges and what appropriate legal mechanisms are in place to combat this epidemic issue.
Indonesia's Political Ecology: The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Palm Oil Industry in Sumatra, Indonesia
Facundo Ramiro Caro - International Relations major (Distinction)
Indonesia, and in particular the Sumatran region, is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of palm oil, nearly doubling its yearly output in the last seven years. Palm oil is present in nearly 50 per cent of all products in your nearest supermarket, yet you might not be aware of where it comes from, who produces it, what the processes and procedures involved are, and whether it is good for human consumption. The palm oil industry has seen an unprecedented growth in production, primarily due to the increase in global demand. As developing countries become more industrialised and experience growth, their populations also grow at speedy rates. Cheap and versatile palm oil products are vital sources of food that help fuel the development of such countries, for example India and China. However, how is Indonesia coping with this increase in global demand? Are the allegations of anti-palm oil NGOs factual? What are the true costs and benefits of the industry's agricultural expansion in Sumatra, Indonesia? These are the kind of issues this study covers, by looking at three key areas: economic, social and environmental. Additionally, these three areas are analysed in an interdisciplinary fashion, so as to reach a telescopic understanding of the current problems. As international pressure from NGOs and foreign governments increase with time, anti-palm oil and pro-palm oil lobby groups are starting to emerge very rapidly. There are many groups that rely on sensationalism and propagandas to confuse the general public even further. Therefore, this study proves useful to inform about the truths and unveil the most widespread myths in regards to the palm oil industry.
“I’m currently studying the Diploma of Tourism and Travel at IPU New Zealand. My experience at IPU has been amazing, in class, it’s just a great environment and I love learning about all the different concepts of tourism, and I hope when I have completed my qualification to become an international flight attendant.”
KYNDRA-ROSE ATTWELL
LEVEL 5 TOURSIM AND TRAVEL STUDIES
“I chose graduate diploma because it is an interdisciplinary course, meaning we can take different papers from different subjects, and it allows us to understand how business works in New Zealand. This is good because I would like to grow my career in international business relating to importation and exportation, and New Zealand is a great place for that, because they are trading with the world, which is a good opportunity for myself.”
LEANDRO FERNANDES FARIAS
GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF
CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
“What I like about this course is the fact that it’s not limited to just one area. I can learn about environmental studies, international relations, and many other things. It’s amazing the support the staff and teachers give to you, so you can learn about all those things in a nice and friendly way. Come join us!”
MATHEUS FROIS BITTENCOURT
BCIS - BUSINESS MAJOR
“I wanted to take this course to improve my business knowledge and I want to work for a multinational company and interact with people from all over the world. This course is helping me to refine my cultural competence and cultural awareness skills, together with improving my business knowledge, and learning some useful techniques for my field.”
NAYARA MARTINS PAVANI
GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF
CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
“I’m taking the BCIS Business degree, and my speciality is in accounting. My favourite subject is auditing, because you can learn how to evaluate the financial report of a company, and I found it really useful because you can get an idea of how to improve the company’s business, in a more efficient way. So if you’re really interested in learning about business,
why not choose IPU New Zealand.”
RINA SHIMAJI
BCIS - BUSINESS MAJOR
“Business studies is really interesting because it gives me an understanding of basic economic principles, how markets are affected by world events, how to assess a firms financial health. Thanks to that I can expand to various career options in the future, for example, I can go into international commerce or start my own business. I’m delighted I have chosen IPU New Zealand for my degree programme.”
LE THI TU QUYNH HO (SALLY)
BCIS - BUSINESS MAJOR
“The reason I have chosen to study international relations is that I want to take my previous experiences working overseas and working with people from other countries. I’m hoping to be able to take my work experience, my educational experience here at IPU, and cultural experiences I’ve had here and abroad, and moving forward aim for a position within a New Zealand embassy where I can make a difference.”
SEAN CHAPMAN
BCIS - INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS MAJOR
“My experience studying Japanese language is really interesting, because you get to learn more about the culture and language, by communicating and interacting with your Japanese friends. The challenging thing is that I know it is hard to learn a different language, but it’s a good opportunity to get to know the culture and what you want to do in the future. I want to be a translator, and this is the best and easiest way to do that.”
SENEUEFA IOANE
BCIS - JAPANESE STUDIES MAJOR
“I’ve always been interested in what is happening in the world, but have only seen those things from a Japanese point of view, so decided to major in international relations to try and see those things from a global perspective. Last August I joined an event called HOPE - an event that commemorated and reflected on the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, I gave a presentation at the time and it was a good opportunity tell the people of New Zealand about the bombing from my perspective.”
TAIGA KAWANO
BCIS - INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS MAJOR
“I knew I wanted to take a programme that will enable me to become an open minded learner in a world of diversity. With virtual classes, it can be a bit difficult because of the barriers of proper communication. But my lecturers had been very helpful and approachable –always there to guide and provide support when needed. As I’m still currently in the Philippines, I hope to continue my studies on campus in the near future.”
MARY REMULLA
BCIS ONLINE STUDENT
“I chose the Languages and TESOL major because I love learning languages, and coming to IPU New Zealand meant that I could study in an interdisciplinary degree and learn among people from a variety of different nationalities, with a variety of different experiences. I really enjoy that environment, because you can learn so much from each other in a small class, discussing and learning together.”
RENEE NIELSEN
BCIS - TESOL MAJOR
“I am interested in teaching English as a second language, my classes at IPU New Zealand have helped me to design my syllabus and also my lesson plan. Also these classes have helped me to manage my class well. During summer we gain our Certificate in TESOL, and from there we can teach English anywhere in the world. If you’re hoping to be an English teacher, maybe you can consider IPU New Zealand on your list.”
LIDIA MELES
BCIS - TESOL MAJOR
“I have been running my own business in my home town for the last ten years, I decided to study further to update and upgrade my knowledge and skill. I find the contents of this programme very useful, it directly supports my current business and also contributes to the long-term development of my future career.”
THI NGOC LINH DANG
MASTER OF CONTEMPORARY
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
“I really enjoy this course because it’s interdisciplinary, meaning you will be able to study different fields while on the same paper. What I also like about this programme is that it helps you to connect with the New Zealand way of doing business. The lecturers are really flexible and approachable which is really important in a learner centred environment.”
JULIA QUEIROZ FRANÇA
POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA OF
CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
“IPU is a real awesome place to study, the campus is really beautiful so you can focus on your study here. The Graduate Diploma is a great opportunity for those who have already graduated and want to expand their skills and knowledge. The best part is it is really flexible, so you can choose from difference papers, topics and subjects.”
YEVHENII ARENDARENKO
GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF
CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
“I chose IPU New Zealand because of its strong connection to Japan, I knew this would give me opportunities other universities might not be able to provide. Thanks to the support of my teachers here over this last year I have grown in my Japanese abilities and as a person.”
ALISHA ELLIOTT
BCIS - JAPANESE STUDIES MAJOR
“I was really encouraged to study and pursue a career in TESOL when I went to Japan and taught in front of a class. It was a really cool opportunity for me to be in Japan teaching and I want to take that further.”
KURTIS GILMOUR
BCIS - TESOL MAJOR
“I find studying international relations really interesting because you are able to learn a lot about the international community and the world. I particularly enjoy studying the humanitarian aspects, such as human rights. In the future there are many different options open to me ,such as working for embassies or diplomacy, it’s very exciting and I’m looking forward to my future.”
JORDAN SILCOCK
BCIS - INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS MAJOR
“I came to IPU New Zealand specifically to get away from Auckland and to challenge myself. IPU has a lot to offer in terms of the Japanese studies and the business studies. The accounting classes here are way more interesting than I thought they would be and the teachers always give you a helping hand. In the future, I want to work as a bank accountant to help you save or earn money.”
SERI JACKMAN
BCIS - BUSINESS ACCOUNTING MAJOR
“If you are interested in tourism, I think this is a really great course because it covers a lot of things. You get to look at tourism in other countries and cultures, how it affects the environment and the economy, you will gain a lot of general knowledge of tourism.”