Call for Abstracts

We are now inviting abstract submissions for the 42nd Tertiary ICT Conference – Hui Taumata Hangarau. 

We welcome contributions that champion the use of technology to create outstanding learning experiences, support cutting-edge research, or add value to your institution in innovative and impactful ways.

Abstracts are welcomed from all areas across IT, Teaching & Learning, Research, and Student Engagement within the tertiary education sector. Whether it's a recent success story, challenge overcome, or lessons learned we encourage you to share your experience. 

Conference Theme:  Image | Empower | Belong

  • IMAGINE – Exploring future possibilities for learning, teaching, research and technology
    POHEWATIA – Te kimi i ngā āheinga ā anamata mō te ako, te whakaako, te rangahau me te hangarau.

  • EMPOWER – Building confidence, capability, and practical tools to deliver tertiary outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand
    WHAKAMANA – Te hāpai i te māia, ngā pūkenga me ngā mea whaihua hei whakatutuki i ngā hua mātauranga ā whare wānanga i Aotearoa.

  • BELONG – Creating inclusive, connected communities where people and ideas thrive across the tertiary sector
    NOHO WHĀNAU – Te whakatupu hapori ā whānau, e noho tuihono ai te tangata me ngā whakaaro puta noa i te rāngai mātauranga whare wānanga nei.

Presenter Benefits:

To support institutions with budget constraints, the organising committee is pleased to offer the following:

  • 1 complimentary registration for the primary presenter of each accepted abstract

  • Discounted registration of $195+GST for up to 2 additional co-presenters
    (Each presentation may include up to 3 presenters in total)

We look forward to receiving your abstract and having you as part of this year’s exciting lineup of presenters. Let's Educate, Transform, and Connect — together.


Tertiary ICT Excellence Awards

The Tertiary ICT Innovation Awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and real-world impact across the New Zealand higher education sector – recognising the initiatives making a difference now and shaping what’s next. Winners will be announced and celebrated at the Conference Dinner on Wednesday evening.

For 2026, the organising committee has introduced a single award category, recognising the top three submissions overall. This reflects the increasingly diverse ways innovation is happening across the sector, where impactful work doesn’t always fit neatly into traditional categories.

A refreshed judging rubric places greater emphasis on the impact of each initiative, encouraging submissions from organisations with strong stories to share, and the potential to inspire others across the sector, regardless of size or scale.

Award Prize Structure
  1. Supreme Excellence Award Winner
    Highest scoring submission
    Prize: $3,500 for your institution plus the TICT Excellence Awards Trophy until TICT27

  2. Excellence Award 2nd Place
    Second highest scoring submission
    Prize: $3,000 for your institution

  3. Excellence Award 3rd Place
    Third highest scoring submission
    Prize: $2,500 for your institution

Timing: All accepted submissions will receive a 25-minute session slot (20-minute presentation time including introductions + 5 minutes for Judges' Q&A). The session is your opportunity to pitch your innovation, focusing on the outcomes, impact, and learnings. Q&A from judges is scored, so come prepared!

Judging Overview
Submissions are evaluated in two parts:
  • Pre-Conference submission – 70% of the total score
  • Conference presentation + Judges Q&A – 30% of the total score

The presentation is an important component of the overall score, providing an opportunity to clearly communicate the impact, outcomes, and learnings from your initiative.

To support the judging process, referees provided as part of your submission will be contacted via a short phone call to to validate key aspects of your entry and provide additional context to inform scoring.

Judges will consider the scale and context of each institution when assessing submissions, ensuring a fair and balanced evaluation across both large and small organisations. This is also reflected within the judging framework.


Submission Requirements: 
  • A completed Excellence Awards Submission Form 
  • Your presentation Slide Deck, submitted ONE week prior to the Conference. 

General Submission

We welcome presentation content on any topic relating to ICT and the Conference theme. 

General presentation submissions should aim to encourage, inspire, or inform delegates by showcasing initiatives currently in use or on the horizon within the New Zealand Tertiary ICT sector. Presentations may explore innovation, sector wide challenges, practical solutions or future-focused thinking. 

Presentation Categories & timings

  • General presentation
    This is a lecture-style session that's short, sharp, and engaging. This is your opportunity to share a successful project, learnings from a not-so successful project, strategic initiative or innovation from your institution.
    Timing: 25-minute session within the conference programme (approx. 20min presentation + 5min Q&A)

  • Panel Discussions/Debate
    Have a topic that would benefit from multiple perspectives or wider discussion? Propose a panel or debate session to encourage engagement and exchange of ideas.
    Timing: Session length to be confirmed with the submitter 

  • Problem Solving
    Seeking solutions to a specific issue or challenge? Use this 90-minute interactive forum to outline your current problem and invite advice or insight from delegates.
    Timing: 90-minute session

  • Workshop (short)
    Use this 90-minute session to explore your topic in depth, with a focus on hands-on activities, collaborative work, or in-depth demonstrations.
    Timing: 90-minute session

Submitting an Abstract

Tertiary ICT Excellence Awards

Download the Excellence Awards Specific Content template here to provide the above Submission Requirements.  
Submit your abstract and the Excellence Awards Content Template by 11:59pm, Friday 26 June 2026.
To submit, you will need:
  • A presentation title (15-words max)
  • A 300-word abstract summary (visible within the Conference Programme)
  • A short presenter/s bio/s
  • Completed Excellence Awards Template

Eligibility:

  • Open to all staff in the NZ tertiary sector (individuals, teams, or institutions)
  • Conference sponsors or potential sponsors are not eligible.
  • Submissions led by vendors are not eligible, however collaborators (e.g. contractors or partners embedded within the institution) may be included where the submission is institution led. 
  • Institutions may submit more than one entry. 
  • Initiatives completed or significantly advanced recently / during the period September 2025 – August 2026.
The judges' decisions are final, and awards are determined independently of any Conference Sponsor influence.

Click here to submit an
Excellence Awards Abstract

General Submission

Submit your abstract using the button below by 11:59pm, Friday 26 June 2025. 

To submit, you will need:

  • A presentation title (15-words max)
  • A 300-word abstract summary (visible within the Conference Programme)
  • A short presenter/s bio/s
  • Submissions must be made under either the General or Excellence Awards category

Eligibility:

  • Open to all staff in the NZ tertiary sector (individuals, teams, or institutions)
  • Conference sponsors or potential sponsors are not eligible.
  • Submissions led by vendors are not eligible, however collaborators (e.g. contractors or partners embedded within the institution) may be included where the submission is institution led. 
  • Institutions may submit more than one entry. 
  • Initiatives completed or significantly advanced recently / during the period September 2025 – August 2026.

All submissions will be reviewed independently and without influence or reference/bias of Conference sponsors.