Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
4 days ago
Completing a Master of Information Technology at EIT has marked a significant milestone for three students, who balanced years of hard work, dedication, and full-time roles at Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga with their academic pursuits.
Teriwa Graham, Tane Edwards, and Juanita Teariki dedicated their final projects to areas such as digital inclusion, cybersecurity, and the development of team-focused IT systems—projects that align closely with Te Taiwhenua mission – to deliver essential health and social services across Hawke’s Bay.
The trio credits EIT’s supportive environment and the guidance of Associate Professor Dr Emre Erturk for their success in achieving this challenging goal.
Teriwa, Te Taiwhenua General Manager of IT, developed ‘people-centric’ IT solutions that simplify processes for staff and enhance service delivery.
“It’s about making sure high-quality data and information are provided to staff in a way that’s clear and helpful,” said Teriwa.
“Our goal is to give our frontline team the tools they need to make quick, informed decisions.”
Tane, a Business Analyst with 17 years at Te Taiwhenua, and Master of Digital Business graduate, addressed digital inclusion by promoting digital literacy and training community members who may lack confidence with technology.
“We live in a digital world, and there are those who embrace it and those who don’t,” he explained.
“The aim is to help people become more independent by equipping them with basic digital skills—whether it’s using apps, online banking, or other essential tools.”
Juanita, Te Taiwhenua IT Manager, concentrated on building cybersecurity awareness to protect the organisation and its users from cyber threats.
“Cybersecurity awareness is crucial, especially in today’s digital age, where anyone can fall victim to cybercrime. My goal was to improve our team’s understanding of cybersecurity and create strategies to keep everyone safer online.”
Reflecting on the support they received from EIT and Associate Professor Dr Emre Erturk, all three students credited his guidance as essential for balancing full-time work and studies.
“Emre has been incredibly supportive throughout our journey,” Teriwa stated.
Emre congratulated Teriwa, Tane and Juanita.
“Every student is unique and needs tailored guidance. Anyhow, our common interest in digital inclusion and transformation has made our synergies even greater.”
Tane added that this support was crucial as they navigated their demanding schedules, noting, “It’s rewarding to work on projects that not only improve our work environment but also benefit our community.”
Juanita concluded, “EIT has provided us with the tools and knowledge to drive meaningful change, and we are excited to implement these solutions in our roles”.
