NEC and WeITec Collaborate for Research

NEC and WeITec Collaborate for Research

WELLINGTON, 26 August 2011

NEC New Zealand Ltd (“NEC New Zealand”) and WelTec Connect Ltd, the service and commercial arm of the Wellington Institute of Technology (“WeITec”) announced, today their collaboration for research and development of technologies and their commercial applications. The deal, the first of its kind for NEC in the South Pacific represents a significant commitment of this leading global IT and networks technology developer and provider to New Zealand’s foremost Institute of Technology.

This collaboration, spanning three years, will see research staff and students from the Wellington Institute of Technology work with technology experts from NEC, to co-develop new and innovative technologies and solutions on biometrics, human interactions, and visual solutions in the fields of energy, environment, public safety, and health, and transform these ideas into relevant applications for the market.

Since WelTec was established in Wellington, New Zealand over a century ago, it has worked hand-in-hand with industry and developed a unique store of expertise, backed up by sophisticated equipment and workshops, in areas as diverse as digital media, business skills, counselling, engineering literacy and numeracy, hospitality, automotive and information technology. WelTec is part of a consortium of six Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics in New Zealand and was the first ITP in New Zealand to be recognised by the New Zealand Government to provide Research and Development expertise to business via a voucher scheme.

NEC New Zealand is the local subsidiary of NEC Corporation in New Zealand, with offices in Wellington and Auckland to provide the latest technologies and total solutions to the New Zealand market. Its forte in biometric research and development has led NEC New Zealand to become one of the leading players in this field, providing innovative applications of its biometrics solutions.

As part of this collaboration, NEC New Zealand becomes a Technology Partner of WeITec, and will provide a sponsorship of NZ$90,000 over three years, which will be used for the funding of fellowships, projects, and student research allowances. WeITec will establish a new position for applied research titled “NEC Applied Research Fellowship” in recognition of NEC’s funding contribution, which will focus primarily on projects related to NEC’s technology. NEC also will take in engineering, IT and/or creative technology students from the Wellington Institute of Technology as part of the cadetship programme.

Dr Linda Sissons, Chief Executive of the Wellington Institute of Technology says, “WelTec is thrilled with this investment by NEC which recognises our contribution to providing applied R&D and Technology Transfer services to industry. WelTec and NEC are leading innovators in their respective fields. There will be significant benefits to our staff and students through this investment by NEC. I look forward to working with our new global partner and seeing our joint aspirations of advancing knowledge and applying this in real-life settings achieved.”

Leonard Dench, General Manager at NEC New Zealand says, “NEC is excited to partner with WelTec, a leading research institute in New Zealand to explore and bring to market new innovative technology solutions. With this collaboration, we believe the combined strengths and collective expertise with a real practical focus, will take innovation to new heights in New Zealand and the wider global stage.”

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