OP Education Foundation Grant Recipients

The OP Education Foundation Trust (OPEFT) is pleased to announce the recipients of its latest grant round, which supports innovative and impactful projects led by Otago Polytechnic students and staff. These grants are part of the Foundation's ongoing commitment to advancing educational excellence and sustainability within the Polytechnic community.

Student Projects:

• Alice Bickerstaff, Aaliyah Lovatt and Janet Hollard, Culinary Arts (pictured above)
  

  A collaborative community project with Darlings Orchard and Kiwi Harvest to producing and distributing fruit crumble to struggling families in Dunedin. The grant will be used specifically to support food materials and packaging costs.

• Anna Duncan and Luana Ashton, Bachelor of Design
  

  Travel grants to attend the prestigious Shanghai Summer School at Donghua University to study how recycled design solutions can reduce marine environmental pollution, with a view to a zero-plastic ocean in the future.

Staff projects:

• Tim Lynch, Senior Lecturer, Culinary Arts

  Project to measure the baseline carbon emissions from the commercial kitchens on the Otago Polytechnic campus, with recommendations for reduction or offsetting those emissions. This project underscores Otago Polytechnic's commitment to sustainability and provides crucial data to guide future environmental initiatives.

• Denise Narciso, Principal Lecturer, Bachelor of Design
  

  Grant to support promotional costs for the Waka Whetū student-led Matariki Exhibition at Tūhura Otago Museum.
  "This innovative exhibition is advancing the profile of Otago Polytechnic in a very public exhibition space and has given the students the opportunity to have real, professional industry experience, build their skills, grow and develop as designers and advance their learning environment beyond standard experiences," says Denise.

About OP Education Foundation Trust

The OP Education Foundation Trust is committed to advancing learning and enhancing the educational environment at Otago Polytechnic. The Foundation supports students and staff in pursuing innovative projects that contribute to educational excellence, sustainability, and community engagement.

"The OPEFT is dedicated to supporting our students and staff in their pursuit of innovative projects that advance learning and sustainability,” says Paul Allison, chair of the OPEFT. “These initiatives demonstrate the incredible potential of our community to contribute positively to both local and global challenges."

For further information, you can email OPEFT@op.ac.nz or visit the website
https://www.op.ac.nz/about/education-foundation/