2005 COMPLETED PROJECTS
Waikato Institute of Technology (School of Science and Primary Industries) - Dr Trevor Atkins, Hortplus Ltd.
Dr Trevor Atkins of HortPlus Ltd, gave a series of presentations on applications of technology in the agricultural and horticultural industries to staff of science and primary industries at Waikato Institute of Technology in 2005. His role encompassed input on course content; assistance with staff research projects, and provision of general feedback on how the course meets the needs of industry.
Rosemary Wyborn, head of the School of Science and Primary Industries, believes Dr Atkins’ involvement to have been extremely valuable in terms of its impact on staff, and the relevance of the course to the wider world.
“The enhanced industry relationship is extremely beneficial. This will greatly assist staff in maintaining currency in their field, matching courses to industry requirements, and preparing students for the workplace.
Students will be better prepared for employment as a result of this project because staff members will be able to impart more relevant and up-to-date information in their teaching and will be more able to advise students on career opportunities.”
From Dr Atkins’ point of view, the opportunity to interact with Wintec’s staff, and to provide input to their course direction was very positive.
“What would I do differently next time? Nothing! I believe that the process and outcomes were spot on.”
While Ms Wyburn felt that the timing of the project was not ideal, due to the delays caused by end of year administration, she felt this was the only area that would require improvement.
Both Wintec and Dr Atkins are keen to continue the connection. Ms Wyburn said:
“We are very pleased to have such a valuable and accessible industry contact and will maintain the close relationship that has developed. This project has demonstrated that this is an excellent model for establishing valuable industry cooperation and advice, and will be used as an example for attempting to obtain internal funding for similar projects in other sections of our School.”
University of Waikato - Dr Asad Madni, BEI Technologies Inc
Dr Asad Madni, past president and Chief Operating Officer of BEI Technologies Inc, Los Angeles, California, was invited by the University of Waikato to lecture on the Technology Commercialisation of MEMS gyroscopes and Wireless Sensor Networks.
Although these were lectures which Dr Madni has delivered all over the world, the request that he deliver them separately to students, the public, and senior managers and technologists required him to tailor his existing material to a range of listeners.
Dr Madni was surprised by how relevant his material clearly was to his audiences.
“I had not anticipated the high degree of impact the technologies and techniques that I was presenting would have directly on the current needs of NZ agricultural industry and on university research.
Several NZ senior officials, organisations and individuals (both faculty and students) have contacted me for advice and direction on their research in addition to offering me positions on their company's advisory board. FoRST has also indicated their desire to invite me back for several other lectures and workshops.”
Nihal Kuluratna, of the University of Waikato, felt that a workshop for industry participants, funded by FoRST, was a particular highlight of Dr Madni’s visit. He also appreciated the fact that students were able to see the industrial side of the sensor technology success story. Asked what he would change in future, his only regret was that it had to be so short.