Applied Science at the University of Otago engages with various industry partners to provide direct lines of communication between employers, future graduate employees and staff of the University. Communication is achieved by a number of means including: a joint University-Industry advisory board and potential for industry sponsored content-linked scholarships and work placements. This ensures that the Applied Science degrees remain relevant and provides mutually beneficial opportunities for graduate employment and research. If you represent a company interested in becoming an industry partner, please contact us.
Transpower is the State Owned Enterprise that plans, builds, maintains and operates New Zealand’s National Grid - the network of high voltage transmission lines and substations that connect areas of generation with towns and cities across the country.
In its role as System Operator, Transpower manages the real-time operation of New Zealand's electricity system. The System Operator keeps the right amount of energy flowing - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Transpower has played a critical role in development of the Applied Science Programme since its inception.
Located at Hamilton International Airport in New Zealand's North Island, Pacific Aerospace has over 50 years experience designing and manufacturing rugged and reliable aircraft that perform where others can't.
Pacific Aerospace have manufactured over six hundred aircraft ranging from the CT-4 two seat military, fully aerobatic aircraft trainer to the Fletcher FU-24 and Cresco agricultural aircraft which average up to 17 cycles per hour, to today's P-750 XSTOL which is setting the benchmark in utility, skydiving and aerial survey roles around the world.
The company has grown from approximately 100 staff at the end of 2006 to now over 150 staff and is vertically integrated from the aircraft design and certification, machining and forming of metal and composite components through to the assembly of the aircraft and its systems and test flights.
Damian Camp, CEO of Pacific Aerospace, is on the advisory board for the NZ Aviation Industry Cluster. His previous roles include Director of NZBio and CEO of Ovita, a Dunedin-based biotechnology company. Damian's experience extends to the consultancy field, where he worked for Chicago-based management consultants, A.T. Kearney Ltd. He is a graduate of the University of Otago holding a BCom with honours in Marketing Management and a BSc in Biochemistry.
Damian was a former adviser to the Applied Science Programme.
Visit the Pacific Aerospace website
AbacusBio Limited are Australasian market leaders in agribusiness consulting and associated new business development. The firm’s internationally recognised scientific expertise in agricultural technology and biotechnology is backed by specialised economic modelling, financial analysis and business management capabilities.
AbacusBio are focussed on growing their consulting business through relationships with clients and involvement in new ventures. The AbacusBio vision is to bridge the gap between scientific possibilities and practical application in business.
Peter Fennessy, a senior business consultant at AbacusBio, is Chair of the Applied Science Advisory Board. As a consultant, Peter works with clients in development of business strategy, business investment and intellectual property strategy, and in the evaluation and valuation of technologies. This is mainly in the agri-bio, biotechnology and agri-tech areas. Peter is also a member of the board of directors of a number of technology businesses. Peter has been working in this field for the last 14 years, and prior to that worked as a researcher and in senior management roles in agricultural research.
Visit the AbacusBio Ltd website
Fronde has a depth and breadth of experience across a full range of technologies, be it cloud computing, mobility solutions or traditional software development. Fronde ensures a strong alignment between the business needs and the technology solution provided. As a result, Fronde has been trusted to deliver large and complex projects such as Students Allowances and Loans and Txt-a-Park.
Recognising our delivery record and our passion for innovation, Google Inc. appointed Fronde as their preferred enterprise partner in New Zealand. In September 2009, Fronde completed a roll out of Google Apps into New Zealand Post, which realised costs savings and created a more collaborative and efficient working environment for the client.
Fronde Systems Group Ltd is a New Zealand based public company, headquartered in Wellington. Fronde has been in continuous operation for 18 years, starting business as Synergy International Limited in 1992. Fronde employs approximately 170 permanent staff and has offices in Auckland, Wellington and Sydney.
Ian Clarke, CEO, joined Fronde in 1999. He has broad business experience in the gas, agriculture, broadcasting and television production industries. With an MBA from Otago University and a diverse background including farming and general management and operational experience among major New Zealand corporates, Ian took over the national operations role in October 2003 and became GM, New Zealand South in November 2005. He was appointed CEO in April 2008.
Ian was elected to the NZICT Board in July 2010. Board members represent the diversity of the NZICT membership and assist with the industry's growth and economic development plans, both in terms of productivity improvements in the domestic economy and growth in export revenues.
Ian is an adviser to the Applied Science Programme.
With an enduring sense of adventure and an ability to attract the world's best story tellers and technicians, Natural History New Zealand is one of the largest and most innovative producers of factual television.
Michael Stedman is the Managing Director of Natural History New Zealand and has worked in the television industry for over 30 years. In addition to having produced over 1500 hours of television programs he has held senior positions in Australia and New Zealand including Head of Training at the Australian Film and Television School, Head of Features for ABC in Australia, Consultant to the United Nations and Director of Production for TVNZ.
Michael is an adviser to the Applied Science Programme.
Visit the Natural History New Zealand website
ADInstruments provides data acquisition software systems for research and education. Since 1988, PowerLab (also MacLab) systems have been used for data acquisition and analysis by the world's best academic, government and private organizations.
Michael Macknight, Chairman of the Board and Technical Director of ADInstruments first developed his concept for a computer-based data acquisition system in 1985, as part of his Bachelor of Science at the University of Otago. By March 1988, when Michael submitted his Masters project, MacLab (the predecessor to PowerLab) had already been launched at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 1987 Meeting.
Michael gained a Bachelor of Science (Physics) and Masters of Science (Computer Science) from the University of Otago.
Today, Michael continues to drive ADInstruments innovation and new product releases from the company's Research and Development Office in Dunedin.
Michael is an adviser to the Applied Science Programme.
Visit the ADInstruments website
Silk was first discovered in China 5000 years ago and remained a closely guarded secret for thousands of years. Legend has it that two monks were sent by Rome to smuggle back silkworm eggs in their hollow canes, and so the secret of silk was revealed.
2000 years later Silkbody reveals the forgotten secret once more...
In 2002 David and Emily Cooper released their range of natural silk clothing in New Zealand. Emily designed the range shortly after completing a degree in Clothing and Textile Science at the University of Otago.
With a knowledge of the performance properties of silk and the potential of this amazing fibre, Emily set about designing a range of clothing that embodied the traditional luxury of silk within high performance garments for everyday, sport and travel.
As part of Silkbody's focus on innovation and research-based design, a close relationship with the University of Otago’s Clothing and Textile Research Centre has facilitated several studies of Silkbody fabrics and comparisons of their remarkable properties with other natural fibres.
"At Silkbody we are passionate about sustainability, ethical production and developing innovative silk clothing for a new generation. In today's world of petrochemical dependence, we believe it's important to be able to wear clothing that's completely natural. Each Silkbody garment carries the story of its evolution - from the finest fibre spun by the tiny silk caterpillar, to the incredibly lightweight, luxurious finished garment. Once you discover Silkbody you won't want to wear anything else against your skin."
Silkbody’s factories are located in Zhejiang province in China, an area renowned for its quality silk and with a rich history of silk production, and a range of products are sold globally.
Emily is an adviser to the Applied Science Programme.
Escea is a New Zealand designer, manufacturer and exporter of leading edge gas fireplaces. Established in 2002 Escea it is already accepted as an industry leader in design and technology, and is currently selling its products to the UK, Australia, the US and Canada.
Innovative designs, exemplary management and creative marketing flair provided the impetus for Escea to grow from having no employees to a full time staff of 42 in its first seven years. For three years in a row Escea featured as one of New Zealand’s 50 fastest growing companies (Deloitte Fast50 Index)
The company owes its fresh approach to its three founders, Nigel Bamford, Alan McGregor and Garth Milmine, who were all in their early 30’s when they started the business. Every decision they made along the journey was in terms of “what is the best way of doing this?” rather than “how do the established industry players currently do this?”.
Nigel is an adviser to the Applied Science Programme.
