I found this video interesting, and confirms what many of us older folk suspect; the young students at university right now are often seriously lacking. The lecturer makes valid points, but he really struggles to enlighten many of them, with some exceptions.
Showing posts with label universities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label universities. Show all posts
September 15, 2025
May 05, 2024
October 12, 2018
Snob's Guide to New Zealand
I've written a useful guide to New Zealand, out now in Paperback and on Kindle. This book will need to be read by anyone interested in a move to New Zealand. It reveals how Kiwis think and from a snob's perspective what are the best schools, cities, cool places?
It goes deeper than you find with most guides. What other guides do is gloss over things or they describe only how to do something. They don't contain criticism, or they're too stale. What Snob's Guide to New Zealand does is assume you know how to do things, such as filling in forms. But what you really need to know is; what will you experience and who will you come up against?
But this book isn't just a guide, it will also be valuable for Kiwis too. From this book they can measure where they're at, where they're going, and how to get there. It raises important issues only occasionally addressed in New Zealand.
What are the best schools and universities? Which cities are best? This is a no holds barred type of approach the reader will find invaluable.
Here is the link to the Paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1727804147
Snob's Guide on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9XRCWK
It goes deeper than you find with most guides. What other guides do is gloss over things or they describe only how to do something. They don't contain criticism, or they're too stale. What Snob's Guide to New Zealand does is assume you know how to do things, such as filling in forms. But what you really need to know is; what will you experience and who will you come up against?
But this book isn't just a guide, it will also be valuable for Kiwis too. From this book they can measure where they're at, where they're going, and how to get there. It raises important issues only occasionally addressed in New Zealand.
What are the best schools and universities? Which cities are best? This is a no holds barred type of approach the reader will find invaluable.
Here is the link to the Paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1727804147
Snob's Guide on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9XRCWK
Snob's Guide to New Zealand is indispensable to anyone looking at a move Downunder, or for the locals who want to know how to get ahead in their own country.
Universities
“There is a strict pecking order…Dispense with all international rankings as they’re meaningless.”
Energy
“…the Tesla owner and the ordinary guy in his Nissan Leaf are at war with poor people.”
New Zealand Wars
“The history of these conflicts is one where Maori won all the battles but lost the wars.”
May 04, 2017
Australia Kicks New Zealand Again
It's time to say goodbye to Australia. The latest outrage is they've stopped Kiwis at Australian universities from receiving domestic fees, the same fees Australians face.
Many don't know that New Zealanders in Australia generally earn much more than Australians. They're the go-getters, while Australians are shiftless. Think about this; Kiwis in Australia pay more tax, a lot more, but receive few if any services in return.
My answer is it's about time NZ pointed out to Australia that they're surrounded, their only ally is NZ. Why would they constantly blame Kiwis for every ill in their stagnant country?
The answer to this is very basic and may even shock. Winston Peters, leader of NZ First, has it wrong. He says that because NZ allowed a back door into Australia for decades (this is where people gained NZ citizenship solely for the purpose of getting into Australia), that Australia is paying the favour back. No, that's not it. What has happened is that Australians have got used to Kiwis beating them up all the time. In Australia, the boss is often a Kiwi. And then on the sports field, the All Blacks always beat Australia. Well not always but of the last 20 games played, NZ has won 15, Australia 4 with 2 drawn encounters. It must suck to live in a country where draws are your closest rival. And it is likely no coincidence that in the same year as the rug was pulled on these fees, that it is also a year when no Australia team has beaten a NZ rugby franchise is Super Rugby. If any Australian team does win a game against a NZ team the Australians will likely hold a street parade, that's how bad they are.
The NZ Prime Minister, the weak and ineffective Simon English, of course he will kowtow. He's such a horrible little man.
Many don't know that New Zealanders in Australia generally earn much more than Australians. They're the go-getters, while Australians are shiftless. Think about this; Kiwis in Australia pay more tax, a lot more, but receive few if any services in return.
My answer is it's about time NZ pointed out to Australia that they're surrounded, their only ally is NZ. Why would they constantly blame Kiwis for every ill in their stagnant country?
The answer to this is very basic and may even shock. Winston Peters, leader of NZ First, has it wrong. He says that because NZ allowed a back door into Australia for decades (this is where people gained NZ citizenship solely for the purpose of getting into Australia), that Australia is paying the favour back. No, that's not it. What has happened is that Australians have got used to Kiwis beating them up all the time. In Australia, the boss is often a Kiwi. And then on the sports field, the All Blacks always beat Australia. Well not always but of the last 20 games played, NZ has won 15, Australia 4 with 2 drawn encounters. It must suck to live in a country where draws are your closest rival. And it is likely no coincidence that in the same year as the rug was pulled on these fees, that it is also a year when no Australia team has beaten a NZ rugby franchise is Super Rugby. If any Australian team does win a game against a NZ team the Australians will likely hold a street parade, that's how bad they are.
The NZ Prime Minister, the weak and ineffective Simon English, of course he will kowtow. He's such a horrible little man.
September 08, 2016
The Snob's Guide to New Zealand Universities
Snob's Guide to New Zealand is now a book, available from Amazon in paperback or kindle
Paperback: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1727804147
Kindle: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J9XRCWK
International rankings are of little use to any New Zealander looking to send their child off to the right university. These studies look at research budgets, international students and staff, and a whole host of categories that are of very little practical use. For the parent and student, they need to know what school is going to get them ahead? I am here to answer that question, so this is it, Kenneth Horlor's Snob's Guide to New Zealand Universities:-
Rank in order, highest first, lowest last...
1. University of Auckland.
It covers a wide field and has all the money and facilities. You can't go wrong with this place, so long as you can afford Auckland.
2. University of Canterbury.
Always second, it is a consistent performer. Careful here, as a good argument can be made for saying its law and engineering graduates are better than Auckland's. However they don't produce medical doctors, or architects, or veterinarians (see Massey for Vets).
3. Victoria University of Wellington.
It is located in the capital city and its graduates get picked up pretty quickly. They have a broad range of studies, their accountants are probably the best in the country.
4. University of Otago.
Favoured by drunken louts, this institution bombards the country with television ads promising your child will get a leg up by going there. Don't believe it. Unless you're going to be a doctor, dentist or pharmacist, forget this place.
5. Massey University
Famed for its agricultural background this institution has ballooned out with campuses all over the place. Known for its dubious MBA, it is better known for producing fine Vets. Unless you have a compelling reason for going to this place, it's best to avoid. Reasons may be your child is from a hick town and needs to be around similar types or they'll go mad. Or they're going to be a Vet.
6. Lincoln University.
Turns out good agriculturalists, wine makers and the like. It's Christchurch's other full university, it's stable enough. You may go here if you live locally and can't be bothered competing at UofC (#2 above).
7. AUT.
A former Polytech, it makes up the numbers. Toils away without doing anything remarkable. You'd only look at this place for the same reasons for attending Lincoln, except think Auckland instead of Christchurch.
8. University of Waikato.
The struggler. Not known for anything and it shows. One interesting innovation is it chooses its law students from the high school intake, rather than putting them through an intermediate year. But that's about it for this place. There is no sound reason to attend.
9. Everywhere else offering a degree in New Zealand.
No doubt some others offer interesting courses, never say never. I've heard good things about the Design Arts College in Christchurch for instance (now part of Yoobee). You have to look at any of these very carefully. Polytechs offer nursing studies and things like that, and we all need nurses. Many also offer engineering at the technical level, one level below chartered engineer. They're often good graduates, places like Ara Institute of Canterbury do a good job. But you're not exiting these places at the top so to speak, this is a snob's guide, not a suck up to whoever.
10. Australia.
An option often overlooked is to attend the University of Sydney (The Shop), or another of similar standard. Kiwis pay domestic fees but you cannot get a student loan. Beware fish hooks with this approach, Griffith, say, would not be ranked on my list. However Sydney I'd put above Auckland, so there is a lot to consider. One innovation is that you can complete a degree in less than three years at Bond University, but it is expensive.
There you go, make of it what you will.
Paperback: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1727804147
Kindle: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J9XRCWK
International rankings are of little use to any New Zealander looking to send their child off to the right university. These studies look at research budgets, international students and staff, and a whole host of categories that are of very little practical use. For the parent and student, they need to know what school is going to get them ahead? I am here to answer that question, so this is it, Kenneth Horlor's Snob's Guide to New Zealand Universities:-
Rank in order, highest first, lowest last...
1. University of Auckland.
It covers a wide field and has all the money and facilities. You can't go wrong with this place, so long as you can afford Auckland.
2. University of Canterbury.
Always second, it is a consistent performer. Careful here, as a good argument can be made for saying its law and engineering graduates are better than Auckland's. However they don't produce medical doctors, or architects, or veterinarians (see Massey for Vets).
3. Victoria University of Wellington.
It is located in the capital city and its graduates get picked up pretty quickly. They have a broad range of studies, their accountants are probably the best in the country.
4. University of Otago.
Favoured by drunken louts, this institution bombards the country with television ads promising your child will get a leg up by going there. Don't believe it. Unless you're going to be a doctor, dentist or pharmacist, forget this place.
5. Massey University
Famed for its agricultural background this institution has ballooned out with campuses all over the place. Known for its dubious MBA, it is better known for producing fine Vets. Unless you have a compelling reason for going to this place, it's best to avoid. Reasons may be your child is from a hick town and needs to be around similar types or they'll go mad. Or they're going to be a Vet.
6. Lincoln University.
Turns out good agriculturalists, wine makers and the like. It's Christchurch's other full university, it's stable enough. You may go here if you live locally and can't be bothered competing at UofC (#2 above).
7. AUT.
A former Polytech, it makes up the numbers. Toils away without doing anything remarkable. You'd only look at this place for the same reasons for attending Lincoln, except think Auckland instead of Christchurch.
8. University of Waikato.
The struggler. Not known for anything and it shows. One interesting innovation is it chooses its law students from the high school intake, rather than putting them through an intermediate year. But that's about it for this place. There is no sound reason to attend.
9. Everywhere else offering a degree in New Zealand.
No doubt some others offer interesting courses, never say never. I've heard good things about the Design Arts College in Christchurch for instance (now part of Yoobee). You have to look at any of these very carefully. Polytechs offer nursing studies and things like that, and we all need nurses. Many also offer engineering at the technical level, one level below chartered engineer. They're often good graduates, places like Ara Institute of Canterbury do a good job. But you're not exiting these places at the top so to speak, this is a snob's guide, not a suck up to whoever.
10. Australia.
An option often overlooked is to attend the University of Sydney (The Shop), or another of similar standard. Kiwis pay domestic fees but you cannot get a student loan. Beware fish hooks with this approach, Griffith, say, would not be ranked on my list. However Sydney I'd put above Auckland, so there is a lot to consider. One innovation is that you can complete a degree in less than three years at Bond University, but it is expensive.
There you go, make of it what you will.