AIC Learning Initiative Recognised at NZATD Awards

Auckland International Campus was named a finalist in the Best Transformation Programme category of the New Zealand Association for Training and Development (NZATD) Awards 2026.

AIC was recognised alongside some of New Zealand’s leading organisations, with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Fulton Hogan, Hato Hone St John and One NZ also named as finalists in the category.

The finalists were formally acknowledged at the NZATD Awards Gala Dinner in Auckland on 10 September 2026, which brought together organisations and professionals from across Aotearoa New Zealand’s learning and development sector.

NZATD is the professional association for workplace learning, development and performance specialists in Aotearoa New Zealand. Its Best Transformation Programme category recognises organisations, teams and individuals delivering transformational learning initiatives.

Feedback from the NZATD Awards judging panel highlighted both the academic strength of AIC’s submission and its practical response to the changing learning environment.

The submission was described as the “most intellectually sophisticated entry”, with judges highlighting its coherent, theory-grounded framework, evidence-informed needs analysis and integration of experiential learning, assessment redesign and reflective practice.

Further feedback described the programme as “a well-executed transformation initiative” with a practical and forward-thinking approach to the growing influence of AI on assessment and learning. The judging panel also noted its potential to become “a leading example of authentic, industry-connected learning in an AI-enabled environment”, describing its future potential as “both exciting and encouraging.”

The recognition acknowledged AIC’s Experiential Education Initiative, launched in 2025 to establish a learning and teaching framework for the institution and undertake a systematic review of assessments across the campus.

The initiative embeds employability and work readiness more deeply across AIC’s culture and curriculum. It also introduces authentic learning activities and non-exam assessments designed to enable the responsible use of generative AI while maintaining academic integrity.

The framework supports greater awareness of experiential education among students and staff while building capability across the campus to support educational transformation.

The programme is designed to benefit students, staff, industry partners and other stakeholders by strengthening the connection between learning, employability and industry practice.

The project was led by Learning and Teaching Specialist Bruno Balducci and involved lecturers from across departments, including Dr Asanthika Imbulpitiya, Dr Omer Altaf, Dr Jimmy Sun and Arjan VanderBoon.

The NZATD recognition reflects the collaborative work undertaken across AIC and the progress made in strengthening experiential, employment-focused learning across the campus.

Read the original announcement: AIC shortlisted for national learning and development award