Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) and Unitec hosted close to a hundred experts, educators, healthcare professionals, researchers and students at the inaugural Women in Nuclear (WiN) Symposium Aotearoa 2026 on 13 June.
Participants came from over 17 countries including Australia, Greece, Poland, Turkey, the UK, USA, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE (Dubai), India, Singapore, Pakistan, and others.
This landmark event held at our Waitākere Campus also attracted more than 200 virtual attendees, creating a platform for knowledge-sharing, collaboration and discussion about the future of nuclear and radiation sciences in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The conference highlighted the vital contribution of women in the healthcare sector who are shaping the use of nuclear technology in medical fields to support diagnosis and treatment.
The event carried strong national and international significance, supporting the establishment of a Women in Nuclear New Zealand chapter and aligning with global efforts to increase diversity, innovation and workforce participation across the sector.
The symposium was an opportunity for our organisation to showcase the depth of expertise within the School of Healthcare while highlighting the value of applied, industry-led education.
Kaimahi ‘staff’ played a prominent role throughout the programme as organisers, speakers, panellists and facilitators.
Contributions came from Senior Lecturer Healthcare Madhusudan Vyas, Academic Programme Manager Dr Joanna Thorogood, Associate Professor Dr Lian Wu, Senior Lecturer Dr Leslie Kristen, Nursing Lecturer Vimlesh Shukla, Lecturer Fiona Lagae, Associate Professor Dr Joseph Aziz, Lecturer Dr Ray Jauny and International Student Advisor Dr Sajjad Haider.
Discussions explored a wide range of topics, including leadership and career pathways in healthcare, the future of nuclear science in New Zealand, artificial intelligence, radiobiology, animal imaging, challenges in oncology care for Māori populations, and emerging innovations in medical imaging and nuclear medicine.
The symposium also provided opportunities for participants to explore how diverse perspectives and professional journeys contribute to advances in healthcare, research and industry.
Senior Lecturer Madhusudan Vyas, who organised and chaired the symposium, said the event highlighted the important role vocational and higher education institutions play in developing future-ready workforces.
“The symposium provided a valuable platform to share how MIT and Unitec are delivering industry-relevant education and to connect with partners who are equally committed to supporting learner success and workforce development,” he said.
He says the opportunity for MIT and Unitec to host this event came through his involvement with the ANZ Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM).
“I initiated and introduced the idea, leveraging my professional networks and international academic connections. Through these established relationships, we were able to organise and coordinate the event collaboratively across both institutions.”
Madhusudan says the event strengthened our relationships with industry and partner organisations while creating valuable opportunities for staff to network and exchange knowledge with other leaders and peers in the sector.
The connections established during the symposium are expected to support future collaborations, inform programme development and create new opportunities for learners.
Hosting a nationally significant event focused on innovation, inclusion and workforce development, reinforces our institution’s commitment to connecting education with industry. This will bring benefits to our learners who will be able to contribute to rapidly evolving fields such as healthcare, medical imaging and nuclear science.
