Venkat Raman
In what is seen as the global first, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) has just launched a new service that aims to promote safety among its international student community, with a round-the-clock monitoring facility.
Called ‘2Life Help,’ the service is an AUT initiative in collaboration with Skyhook Services, a global leader in location technology and ‘First Security,’ stated to be the largest security patrol fleet in New Zealand.
The facility is available to students through an online app (http://www.2Life.co.nz) in and out of the campuses of the University.
Total Solution
2Life Executive Director Mike Hutcheson said that AUT aimed to provide a comprehensive personal safety solution to its international students and their parents with peace of mind.
“For many families, when deciding to send their child overseas to study their biggest worry is, ‘Who will help my son or daughter in an emergency? Who can my child turn to for help, if they are lost, 
confused, frightened or simply find themselves in a distressing or unsafe situation?’ Now, whenever your child needs help, all they need do is press the 2Life Help icon and we’ll get them the help they need,” he said.
The Company’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Stephen Katz said that foreign students often experience the problem of adjusting to the new environment, understanding the local culture and most important of all, getting to know the dos and don’ts.
The Missing Student
He followed the story of Iraena Asher, a 25-year-old University of Auckland student and television advertisement model who went to a party at the west Auckland coastal settlement of Piha on October 11, 2004.
At 9 pm, she called the Police on 111 and asked for assistance.
She said, “I just need to be taken away from here…because I am very afraid of a guy here. He has just been pressuring me for sex and I really do not want to.”
The call was coded priority two – to be responded within 30 minutes
The police decided to send a taxi to pick her up. Unfortunately, the taxi was sent to the wrong address and never arrived.
Ms Asher went missing and has not been seen since then.
The case made headlines and became a subject of discussion on talkback shows and at social and private gatherings.
Quick support
Mr Katz thought that smart phone technology linked to call centre operators could provide an effective health and personal safety service for the elderly and young persons.
“Upon activation of the service (by pressing the 2Life Help icon on their smartphone), users are linked to 2Life call centre operators who will know the caller’s location and have access to their personal details. They can then initiate two-way communication, track their location (even if they are on the move), evaluate the situation and get them the help they need (Ambulance, Fire, Police, Coastguard or a Security Guard Patrol, Vehicle Breakdown Assistance or a Safe Ride Home),” he said.
As well as English, operator assistance with other languages such as Hindi, Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean will be available, he added.
First Security Business Development Manager Glenn Chapman said that accurate location information is critical to ensure prompt notification, dispatch, arrival and delivery of life-saving assistance.
“We were satisfied that 2Life’s location network, software technology and suite of network providers offered the best solution in the market,” he said.
Designed as a user-friendly app, pressing the 2Life icon arms the service. The user needs to merely press the ‘Send Alert’ button and the software does the rest.
Enthusiastic response
Mr Katz described response to the service as ‘excellent’ and said that students find comfort in knowing that they can seek assistance by activating the service.
“They also know that they will be connected to our operators who will get them the help they need. Our call centre is New Zealand’s leading assistance provider to the Medical and Travel industry. In Auckland we employ 150 staff and 75% of them are front line operators. All operators are trained in risk assessment, with ongoing training and operator reviews conducted on a regular basis,” he said.
Further information can be obtained from Stephen Katz on (09) 3798188 or 021-539689.
Email: stephen.katz@2life.co.nz Website: www.2Life.co.nz
Next Issue: Added services enhance 2Life value.
