Category Archives: Our Community

Our Community

Calling All International Students! Share YOUR Experiences!

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If you are an international student, earlier this week you might have received a link from canterbury@qemailserver.com to complete the International Student Barometer (ISB) Survey – a key opportunity to share your experience at UC.

If you can’t find the email, don’t worry!
You can click here or scan the QR code below to take part.
QR Code to log in to take your survey.

We run this survey every two years, and your feedback helps us improve international student support and services. For example, in 2023 survey results told us that new international students wanted more arrival support. In response, we set up an airport welcome booth during orientation weeks to greet new international students. Additionally, we increased the number of orientation and transition workshops available, including a peer-to-peer session during the first weekend of semester.

We take your feedback seriously and use it to make real changes!

As a bonus, you can opt to go in the draw for a Global Engagement prize pack, which includes UC merch. Thanks in advance for your time – we look forward to hearing your important feedback!

If you have questions, please email surveys@canterbury.ac.nz

Our Community

Exciting updates to the UC Services Portal

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From Tuesday 25 March, you’ll notice some changes when you log in to the UC Services Portal – the place you go to get stuff sorted, whether it’s logging an IT issue, checking system status, or finding helpful how-tos. 

These changes are the first major refresh since we started using ServiceNow – the platform that powers the UC Services Portal and helps deliver faster, smarter support across UC. 

What’s new?
We’ve made a bunch of improvements based on feedback from students and staff. Here’s what you’ll see: 

Simpler navigation – A new mega menu, updated buttons and layout make it easier to find your way around. 

Fresher look and feel – The portal now matches other UC platforms more closely, with new fonts, icons, and colours. 

Clearer visual cues – Better design to help you spot key info faster, including: 

  • Recommended for you – See popular articles and requests 
  • Popular topics – Instantly access the most viewed help topics 
  • Quick links – Straight to the Software Catalogue, ‘Report an IT Fault’, and System Status 

Smarter search – Improved AI search helps you get better results, faster. 

What do I need to do?
Not much! When you next log in, you’ll see a welcome banner and have the option to take a quick guided tour. Your saved bookmarks/favourites will still be there, and most things should still feel familiar when submitting a request or searching for answers. 

Got questions or feedback? Get in touch via the Portal feedback button located in the bottom left corner of the UC Portal home page. 

Our Community

Visiting Erskine Fellows – international experts in your lectures

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Thanks to UC’s Erskine Programme, international experts will be joining select Science, Engineering and Business classes throughout 2025 to bring fresh ideas, global perspectives and real-world experience into your lectures.  

Established through a bequest from UC alum John Angus Erskine – a classmate of UC Legend Ernest Rutherford – this unique programme connects students with visiting lecturers from universities around the world.   

Each year, 90 Erskine Fellows share their expertise at UC, while 25 of our own academics travel abroad through the Erskine Grant to expand their knowledge and teaching approaches.   

What does this mean for you?   

  • Learn from world-class Science, Engineering, and Business academics.  
  • Get fresh insights and different teaching styles from experts in the field.  
  • Gain global perspectives that can shape your studies and career.  

This semester, we’re welcoming visiting lecturers from Australia, Canada, India, Japan, the UK, the US, and beyond. Some of them may be teaching in your courses, so make the most of this opportunity to ask questions, engage in discussions, and experience new ways of learning!  

Check out UC News for more>