UNITEC Launches Degree in Wealth Creation

MEDIA RELEASE
January 25, 2001

UNITEC Launches Degree in Wealth Creation

New Zealand’s existing and potential entrepreneurs will soon have their imagination, skill and talent formally recognised with the introduction of the country’s first professional qualification designed solely with their uniqueness in mind.

March 2001 sees the launch of the inaugural Master of Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MBIE) degree, developed by the Faculty of Business at UNITEC to give people with an entrepreneurial orientation the knowledge and techniques to assess commercial feasibility and kick start a business endeavour.

UNITEC’s Business Faculty Dean, Professor Gael McDonald, says the MBIE focuses on the business elements necessary to make a venture successful on the national and international stage.

“As New Zealanders we pride ourselves on our Kiwi ingenuity and ‘can do’ attitude. UNITEC has identified the need to support and assist this country’s entrepreneurial talent to grow a seed of an idea into a successful brand and business,” she says.

“The MBIE is based on international best practices to enable progressive business people and entrepreneurs the opportunity to create economically viable products and services, either as independent entities or within existing organisations. It’s vital New Zealand keeps up with other developed countries through new innovations and commercial advancements and the MBIE is the springboard to help achieve this.”

The MBIE is a three-year part time programme, a combination of weekend on campus work and self-directed learning, with a masters degree the final qualification.

Milestone qualifications – postgraduate certificate and diploma – mark the successful completion of Phases 1 and 2 and are awarded to participants who exit the masters programme within the three years.

UNITEC is looking for people who have a bachelor degree and work experience to fill the course’s limited spaces. Experienced practitioners with no tertiary qualifications but outstanding personal and professional achievements will also be considered.

The masters programme is headed by Programme Director Dr Peter Mellalieu, formerly senior lecturer in entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity at Massey University. The programme includes local and international educators with several leading entrepreneurs and business innovators taking part and providing students with a wealth of knowledge and expertise to draw from.

The MBIE has a close relationship with UNITEC’s New Zealand Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NZCIE) and its relevant networks. In addition to educational programmes the NZCIE operates a number of initiatives including a business incubator, a resource and information domain, academic and applied research and a visiting professorial and entrepreneurs’ programme.

Interested entrepreneurs should ring Peter Mellalieu at UNITEC’s business faculty on 09 815 4321 extension 8108, email mbie@unitec.ac.nz or visit http://www.unitec.ac.nz/mbie for more information.

Released on behalf of UNITEC by Porter Novelli New Zealand.
For further information please contact:
Gael McDonald UNITEC 09 815 4321 ext 7404
Phil Bretherton UNITEC 09 815 4321 ext 7026
Or
Carolyn Wellburn Porter Novelli New Zealand 09 373 3786

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