Fisher & Paykel Appliances Forms Partnership With University Of Auckland Business School

The University of Auckland's World-Class Business School project has been boosted by a $1 million sponsorship from Fisher & Paykel Appliances. The funds are targeted at naming rights for the auditorium of the new Business School building, due to open in 2006.

Fisher & Paykel Appliances Managing Director John Bongard says the partnership also offers strategic benefits for both parties.

"We already have a strong relationship with the Business School through its executive training programmes. We are keen to develop this further by sharing staff and knowledge where appropriate in areas such as leadership, marketing, systems, human resources, innovation and creativity."

Dean of the Business School, Professor Barry Spicer, has welcomed the appliance company's sponsorship.

"The Business School is delighted to have the support of Fisher & Paykel Appliances. This is a long-term relationship that will benefit both parties and, ultimately, the wider community."

The Business School embarked on its project in 2002, aiming to transform itself from a leading Australasian institution into a truly world-class centre. This entails excelling in its research, teaching and facilities, and providing leadership to meet the challenges of New Zealand's enterprise creation and growth.

Fisher & Paykel Appliances' contribution to the $110 million project brings the total raised from the private sector to $21 million in confirmed funding against a target of $50 million. The Government has agreed to match donations dollar-for-dollar up to the first $25 million, under its Partnerships for Excellence programme. The University is contributing the balance of the funds.

Of the project 's total cost, $80 million will be spent on the new facility and $30 million on programmes and staff, including the creation of 12 new chairs to be filled by global recruitment searches. So far three new chairs have been established - in Energy Economics, Financial Accounting, and Entrepreneurship. Support for three other chairs is currently in the final stages of negotiation.

Construction of the new building began last November.

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