Breaking down barriers to inspire greater innovation
27/05/09 19:40
Recently we have seen the opening of a new $20 million building to house the ICT Innovation Institute at Canterbury University – a partnership between the University and some of the country’s top technology firms. As well as academics and post-graduate students, the Institute will house staff on secondment from companies such as IBM, HP, Tait Electronics and Jade. The building is open plan, allowing students to work in multidisciplinary teams. The Institute’s Director, Dr Darin Graham, who helped set up a similar institute in Canada before coming to New Zealand, says that it takes time to break down barriers between traditionally research-focussed academics and profit-driven businesses. “It’s about building up trust and value. When it takes off, the spark and energy is truly phenomenal.” Read more:
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