MIT & Unitec community recognised in King’s Birthday Honours
Our organisation is warmly acknowledging three recipients of King’s Birthday Honours announced on Monday.
The honours recognise excellence and service to Aotearoa New Zealand, and this year’s list includes an accomplished alumna, a former kaimahi ‘staff’ leader, and a current Council member whose work has made a lasting impact both nationally and internationally.
Beatrice Faumuina
Beatrice Faumuina has been appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to sport and governance.
Beatrice graduated with a Bachelor of Business Studies from Unitec in 2012 and the Gold Lecture Theatre at Mt Albert Campus is named after her to honour her accomplishments in the sporting arena.
One of the country’s most celebrated athletes, Faumuina made history in 1997 when she became the country’s first world track and field champion, winning the women’s discus at the World Athletics Championships in Athens.
A four-time Olympian and inductee into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, Beatrice also won two Commonwealth Games gold medals during an illustrious career that spanned more than a decade.
Since retiring from competition in 2010, Faumuina has continued to serve through leadership and governance roles. She has been New Zealand’s Trade Commissioner and Consul General and has contributed to the governance of several major organisations, including Sport New Zealand and The Trusts Arena.
Ms Faumuina’s latest honour follows her appointment as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2005.
Sandra Thompson
Former kaimahi and alumna Sandra Thompson has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to governance, education and children.
Thompson worked at Unitec between 2005 and 2016, holding a number of leadership and academic positions including Head of Department for Community Services, Programme Leader for the Graduate Certificate in Pacific NGO Management and Leadership, and Senior Lecturer in the Graduate Diploma in Not-for-Profit Management.
A graduate of Unitec’s Master of Community Development programme, Thompson has dedicated much of her career to strengthening the capability of community and not-for-profit organisations across New Zealand and the Pacific.
Today, as Director and CEO of LEAD: Centre for Not for Profit Governance & Leadership, she continues to support organisations through leadership development, governance training and facilitation, helping communities build sustainable and effective services for future generations.
Professor Sharon Brownie
Current MIT and Unitec Council member Professor Sharon Brownie has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to health and nursing education.
From Te Kamo in Northland, Professor Brownie has built an international reputation as a leader in health professional education, research capacity building and healthcare workforce development.
Her distinguished career has included senior leadership and advisory roles across New Zealand and internationally, with projects and appointments spanning Fiji, East Africa, Pakistan, Egypt, the United Kingdom and the Middle East.
Professor Brownie currently serves as Professor of Medicine at Charles Sturt University, holds a ministerial appointment to the Nursing Council of New Zealand, and is an Adjunct Professor with Wintec’s Centre for Health & Social Practice.
Her work has consistently focused on improving access to quality health and education services, particularly for regional and underserved communities, while helping to strengthen the future health workforce.
These honours recognise three outstanding recipients whose achievements and recognition in this year’s list is a source of pride for the wider MIT & Unitec whānau and a reminder of the impact that our graduates, staff and leaders continue to make in shaping a better future for others.
