ECE Guest Lecture Series Launches with Inspiring Session from Evolve Education Group
19/08/2025
ECE Guest Lecture Series Launches with Inspiring Session from Evolve Education Group
15 August 2025 | ICL Education Centre
On Friday, 15 August 2025, ICL Graduate Business School proudly launched its ECE Guest Lecture Series with an inspiring inaugural session that brought together over 130 ECE students, Programme Manager Associate Professor Meripa Toso, and the ECE Academic team of lecturers.
The session featured two guest speakers from Evolve Education Group, one of New Zealand’s leading providers of Early Childhood Education.
Chitra Mukerjee, Area Manager, spoke on “Graduating into the Early Childhood Profession in Aotearoa New Zealand.” She outlined what employers seek in new graduates, including strong knowledge of Te Whāriki and its five strands (Well-being, Belonging, Contribution, Communication, Exploration), the ability to apply curriculum knowledge practically, and an understanding of regulatory bodies such as the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Education Review Office (ERO).
Ajah Peterson, Centre Manager at Lollipops, shared her 14 years of sector experience, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of centre leadership. She emphasised the importance of embedding the Te Tiriti o Waitangi Statement and Strategy into daily practice and fostering genuine whanaungatanga within centre culture.
Chitra Mukerjee, Area Manager for Evolve Education Group, during her presentation.
Ajah Peterson (Lollipops Centre Manager) during her presentation.
Following the presentations, students had the opportunity to take part in a highly valuable Q&A session, engaging directly with the speakers, asking thoughtful questions, and gaining deeper insight into the realities of the profession.
ICL extends its gratitude to Lecturer Bindu Bansal, the organiser of this successful event, as well as to Associate Professor Meripa Toso and the ECE Academic team for their continued support of our students.
The ECE Guest Lecture Series is set to become a cornerstone of our ECE programmes, offering students direct engagement with leaders from across the Early Childhood Education sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Event organiser, ECE lecturer Bindu Bansal, presenting guest speakers from Evolve Education Group.
Guest speakers from Evolve Education Group, Chitra Mukerjee and Ajah Peterson during the Q&A session.
Guest speakers from Evolve Education Group, Chitra Mukerjee and Ajah Peterson during the Q&A session.
Programme Manager, Associate Professor Meripa Toso, with her Academic team, Lecturers Aiqiao Liu, Hemal Manaktala and Bindu Bansal, with guest speakers Chitra Mukerjee and Ajah Peterson.