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WelTec is pleased to bring you the third issue of our Connect magazine linking industry and our stakeholders
Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Research, Science and Technology announced the successful research organisations to participate in the first phase of the Technology Transfer Voucher programme at Wellington Institute of Technology's Petone campus on 20 October. WelTec is the only Institute of Technology and Polytechnic accredited to deliver the first phase of the new Research and Development programme. The other accredited research organisations are Industrial Research Limited (located in the Hutt Valley), University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, Auckland University of Technology and the University of Otago. WelTec, through its new service arm WelTec Connect, currently offers businesses a technology partnership programme. This programme provides emerging small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with a unique opportunity to develop a long term relationship with WelTec, which in turn brings specialist expertise in technology development and transfer. As these businesses grow and evolve WelTec then assists them to develop relationships with other research organisations such as CRIs and universities. "WelTec is an innovative and technology-oriented enterprise. We have had a strong focus over the last ten years on applied research and technology development. FRST has recognised our contribution in this field and also acknowledged the leading part science plays in the Wellington Region by accrediting both Industrial Research Limited and WelTec to spearhead this new role," said Dr Linda Sissons, Chief Executive of WelTec. "We are a key R&D partner for a number of employers whose companies have significant export potential. WelTec works as a partner with them to develop innovative technologies, through applied research. Participation in this inaugural phase of the Technology Transfer Voucher programme will allow us to expand our technology transfer capability and continue to offer solutions, deliver products and provide support to innovative companies. "We have large, sophisticated workshops with advanced technology, especially in the fields of manufacturing including engineering and prototyping; as well as information, communication and digital technologies, and these facilities are used for more than just teaching. Also, if companies choose to spend their technology transfer vouchers with us we can offer specialist staff and bright, young students eager to use their knowledge and skills to especially assist SMEs," said Dr Sissons. "The technology transfer vouchers announced provide the means for companies to approach WelTec to get a specific project completed. We are well positioned to actively engage with companies," said Dr Sissons. Four companies working with WelTec demonstrated 'technology transfer' at the announcement. Astara Technologies Ltd - Iain Jerrett, Director Im-Able Ltd - Sunil Vather, Chief Executive AquaMax-Devco Ltd - Steve Robinson, Director Research and Development J-Works - Mat Jury Technology Transfer Vouchers: how they work In the May 2010 Budget, new funding of $20 million over the next four years was announced to set up Technology Transfer Vouchers. Five million dollars is available in the 2010/2011 year. The objective of the voucher programme is to bring more technology and knowledge from the science sector to the business community. Vouchers will provide a business with 50 per cent funding to enable access to research services and expertise from accredited publicly funded research organisations for a specific R&D project. Voucher values may range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $1 million. It is expected that most vouchers issued will be in the $100,000 to $200,000 range - with matched co-funding required from businesses. For example, if a business receives a voucher worth $200,000 then its contribution is also $200,000, making $400,000 available for purchase of R&D from a research organisation. Vouchers will only be awarded to businesses with limited or no in-house R&D capability, and with well defined problems or ideas that will benefit from the R&D expertise and services in a research organisation. Businesses with a Technology Transfer Voucher will be able to redeem these with one of the selected research organisations, to tap into knowledge and expertise in the science sector Businesses will be able to apply for a voucher from the Foundation from 1 November. Please click on the following link for more information: http://www.frst.govt.nz/technz/fundsandservices/transfervoucher
Innovating New Zealand brings together New Zealand's foremost institutes of technology to provide a range of services to help businesses grow. Whatever your company's issue and no matter its size, Innovating New Zealand can connect businesses to experts within institutes who can help address your needs - from sales growth to improvements in operational efficiencies and processes to staff development and organisational change. Here is the link to an online version of a recent article about Innovating New Zealand http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/f0a99abc#/f0a99abc/49
Linda Sissons (WelTec's Chief Executive) chairs the Metropolitan Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics. Linda addressed the Metros' first external event on 12 October. Attending the event were Steven Joyce, Minister for Tertiary Education, engineering employers who have been involved with and will benefit from the Metros joining forces to offer the Bachelor of Engineering Technology, industry training organisations and major government stakeholders. Linda outlined the Metros' approach to economic growth working with industry to make a positive contribution to the New Zealand economy, "We put industry at the centre of everything we do. Members of companies approve and moderate our programmes, lecture on our courses and employ our graduates." Steven Joyce congratulated the Metros on their partnerships noting that he very strongly valued the applied vocational education that ITPs provide. He went on to say that he saw the role of the Metro group as progressing technology transfer, expanding New Zealand's international student market and providing clear educational pathways. The Minister acknowledged the degree work ITPs did saying it strengthened the sector. He said his priority was to have a tertiary education system that we could be proud of and that delivers very good products. In closing the Minister said that strong ITP performance will result in more freedom and flexibility in funding arrangements. The Metro ITPs are a significant grouping with combined revenue of $500,000,000 representing half the revenue earned by the ITP sector. These Metros are characterised by having strong financial performance, significant Equivalent Full-Time Students (38,000 in 2009), a large number of stakeholders (850) with 350 small and medium sized enterprises and 150 large companies. In 2009 the Metros awarded 13,000 degrees and over 1,000 post graduate qualifications.
Image1 from left: Rick Ede - Unitec Chief Executive, Linda Sissons - WelTec Chief Executive, Dr Peter Brothers - Manukau Institute
WelTec recently joined forces with UCOL and Le Cordon Bleu to open the Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand Institute and New Zealand Centre for Cuisine and Hospitality Excellence in central Wellington. The mutual venture is strongly supported by all concerned, marking a positive step forward, concentrating the best of culinary excellence in one central hub. 2012 will see the School of Hospitality co-locating with the Le Cordon Bleu NZ Institute to the Wellington CBD. The NZ Centre of Culinary and Hospitality Excellence is anticipated to host a combined number of 700 New Zealand and international students each year. "New Zealand has a growing reputation for award-winning wine and food and an innovative approach to the culinary arts. We believe that Le Cordon Bleu students and graduates will be an asset to the hospitality and culinary industry in New Zealand, as they are elsewhere in the world." Gregory Keating, General Manager of the Duxton Hotel and chair of WelTec's Hospitality Advisory Committee commented, "This joint venture is welcomed by Wellington hoteliers and restaurateurs. A culinary training centre in the heart of Wellington, which builds on WelTec's excellent School of Hospitality can only benefit the greater Wellington region. I warmly welcome Le Cordon Bleu to Wellington and offer my whole-hearted support to staff and students."
Since September 2004 Les Sorbets and WelTec have had a partnership agreement which includes a student exchange programme for French and New Zealand students of the schools. This partnership provides an opportunity for the students to learn about each other's food and hospitality and exchange cuisine ideas. The executive team are in Wellington to discuss ongoing opportunities with WelTec Hospitality. Image: Cherie Freeman, Head of WelTec's School of Hospitality with staff from Les Sorbets.
WelTec Wows at WorldSkills
WelTec students and graduates set the standard at this year's WorldSkills National Competition held in Christchurch. The 13 strong team were awarded the inaugural Sir John Ingram Trophy for the team with the highest aggregate score in the intensive three-day technical skills competition. The Wellington Regional team achieved a placing in half of the categories they entered, with an impressive two firsts, two seconds and two third places in the various categories. Team Leader Vaughan Crimmins attributes the dedication of the team and their tutors to the teams' success. "It's fantastic to measure the skill level of WelTec's students and graduates against training from around the country, and to come out on top." The youngest team member was Melissa Lind at 17, who did extremely well gaining a second place and will be eligible to compete again and qualify for the international competition in 2013, as are another five of her team members. "For a team having so many young members they did extremely well and our goal will be to try and keep them interested in trying for the NZ Worldskills Team of 2013," says Vaughan. Two weeks of hard work by staff and students from hair and beauty really paid off with a fantastic effort for WOW.
Launched in 2008, the degree is a marriage between art, design and emerging technologies, combining a range of learning from visual arts and cultural design to animation, film & TV and audio engineering. One of the first students to enrol in the new degree Lee Browne, is set to present a selection of her final year work at a WelTec School of Creative Technologies exhibition at Thistle Hall gallery later this month. Lee's work explores the element of risk within the painting process and the aspect of chance and happenstance. Visit www.weltec.ac.nz/ctexhibition to find out more. Image caption: A sneak peek at Lee Browne's exhibition artwork.
It’s been a busy few months for the School of Creative Technologies, while preparing for the end of year exhibitions they've also had cause to celebrate some fantastic successes. WelTec Tutor, Adi Brown has been selected as a finalist for the Wallace Art Trust Awards, New Zealand’s most prestigious art awards! Selected as a finalist out of over 400 applicants for her photographic artwork, Adi's work will be on show at the New Dowse 22 October - 28 November 2010. Also congratulations to Michael Hambleton, with credit to Tutor Tony Degoldi for another award won at this year's Best Design Awards. WelTec Interior Design Student, Michael Hambleton won bronze for his spatial design Splay. This year the competition was tougher than ever with a record number of entries (603 submissions) since its inception 22 years ago.
WelTec Engineering graduate, staff member and general go-to-gadget man on campus Patrick Herd, is in high demand for his MacGyver worthy talents. As well as being ever-ready to lend a hand to WelTec staff and students, the WelTec graduate and engineering staff member has recently created SFX (special effects) for Shihad's latest music video Sleepeater. Sleepeater was up for a Vodafone New Zealand Best Music Video Award alongside competitors Phoenix Foundation and Kids of 88.
In cooperation with Sam Peacocke, Director of Sleepeater, Patrick built an automated spinning chair with timed water cannons and a wind machine designed to blast the brave persons who sat in the chair while being filmed at 1000 frames per second. The footage was shot at the homegrown music festival earlier this year and was then used to create the cutting edge music video. Since word got out about Patrick's ability, he has been recruited to work on the avionics for the feature film Avatar, and approached to work on several special effects projects for Shihad music videos. Quickly establishing a reputation for his ability to turn his hand to anything with a typically kiwi no. 8 wire mentality. Keep an eye out for Patrick's ongoing projects, first stop Wellywood - next stop Hollywood! Check out the result of Patrick’s Special Effects for Sleepeater!
The initiative was the brainchild of Barbara Branch of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, with support from Belinda Weepu, WelTec Modern Apprenticeship Coordinator and Chris Bagley, Senior Partner at Hutt Valley/Kapiti/Porirua BNZ. Local engineering firms were approached to sponsor the go-carts, which would be custom built by WelTec students and decorated with the company's colours and branding. A number of local firms got behind the venture, including MJH Engineering, Best Engineering, Betteridge Engineering, Metco Engineering, Myriad Engineering, Aztech Engineering and Industrial Research Limited (IRL). BNZ's Chris Bagley was in strong supportive of the idea from the onset. He saw the potential for ongoing collaboration and networks between Hutt Valley Business and WelTec engineering students, as well as the opportunity to create Hutt Valley's answer to the Queenstown bird man competition. "What's great about Krazy Karts, is the way its showcases both WelTec and Hutt Valley engineering firms in a manner that is unique and unusual," says Chris. "Our job is to support the local economy, and this is an usual, but effective way to do this. Throughout the process WelTec's students have had the opportunity to work with local businesses and engineering films are connected with potential employees. The situation is really win-win for both parties." |
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Connect is WelTec's Newsletter to key stakeholders. |
On Thursday 21 October, a delegation of senior staff from the Lycee Notre Dame du Roc (known as Les Sorbets) visited the Wellington Institute of Technology's (WelTec) Hospitality centre, including Les Sorbets new Chief Executive, Daniel Arnou and Deputy Director Catering School, Bruno Michel, and Paul Herbreteau, Head Lecturer. Les Sorbets is located in Nantes and has a strong cuisine and catering centre as part of its school.
The first graduating class of the WelTec Bachelor of Creative Technologies is set to exhibit in Wellington City and the Hutt Valley Oct-Nov 2010. 
Thistle Hall is one of a series of WelTec student exhibitions over the months of October and November. "It's an opportunity not to be missed," says Lee. "The exhibitions are a great example of work produced by the next wave of emerging artists. We are all committed to pushing ideas around contemporary creative practice." 
While Kids of 88 stole the show on the night, the video has been celebrated for its unique effects on 
WelTec's School of Engineering and the Hutt Valley City Council have set in motion a new collaborative venture with Hutt Valley engineering employers. WelTec's mechanical engineering students are currently working against the clock to build a fleet of new go-carts in time for Hutt Valley's Krazy Karts race day, Sunday, 31 October.