Doctorate recognises educator's contribution

John Hinchcliff

Dr John Hinchcliff worries he is not doing enough in a rapidly changing world.

That's Dr Hinchcliff, Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, city councillor, chairman of a high school board of trustees, chairman of two other education organisation boards, author of numerous internationally recognised academic papers, books and one novel, who runs his own farm, and is credited with gaining university status for Auckland University of Technology.

Yesterday, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from AUT for the last of those achievements.

He said he was surprised and honoured, but was not ready to slow down just yet.

"There are so many challenges out there I worry I'm not doing enough," he told the Herald.

The doctorate recognises the work Dr Hinchcliff put in after inheriting a cash-strapped Auckland Institute of Technology in 1984.

Under his leadership, student and staff numbers almost doubled and Maori gained visibility with the establishment of the Faculty of Maori Development.

And in 1999, the institute became a university.

"In 20 years, my greatest highlight was getting the students an education that enabled them to find meaningful futures," he said after receiving his award yesterday.

Dr Hinchcliff, who graduated 44 years ago from Canterbury University, dodges questions about his achievements since then.

"I don't like pushing my own barrel" - but is happy to talk about education and its place in the world today.

The key, he says, is maintaining a learning style that focuses on the students and provides them with life-long learning of humanitarian wisdom combined with knowledge.

"In our drive to perfect knowledge, we can fail to attend to the wisdom of many great minds."

In a speech to other graduates, Dr Hinchcliff said there were simple rules to wisdom, such as humility, love, respect and a humble sense of wonder at the world.

He told the Herald this combined with education could help future civilisations out of "deep trouble".

With the convergence of technological advance we anticipated a technical paradise, he said.

But we were failing to address energy problems, pollution, global warming and bioterrorism.

"The challenges facing us are enormous and into all this we've got to find time to live and to enjoy ourselves."

Those graduating had to take the opportunity to leave the world a little better, he said.

More than 3100 people will enjoy Dr Hinchcliff's legacy as they graduate this week at AUT's largest graduation to date.