Wayne Mapp

Research, Science and Technology Minister Dr Wayne Mapp has called it the "migration of science into the market" and he has highlighted the need to "better connect New Zealand's research organisations with companies that want to innovate".

New Zealand needs to "increase the innovative capacity of its businesses", he says, and the Government's Economic Growth Agenda includes working at creating an environment for this to happen.

This is good news for bright young undergraduates, graduates and non-graduates with relevant experience who are keen to explore the challenges and rewards of the commercialisation of scientific ideas, says soil scientist Dr Carol Smith, Academic Programme Manager in Lincoln University's Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Dr Smith is co-ordinating a new specialisation in science and entrepreneurship at Lincoln University within the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science and the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science programmes.

The specialisation, developed in close association with the University of Canterbury, will give students a practically-focussed introduction to technology-based business by introducing them to the main elements of the commercialisation of science and technology.

"This programme will appeal to motivated, entrepreneurial people who want to enter, or are currently working in, the area of the commercialisation of scientific ideas and devices," says Dr Smith.

"It is firmly based in science and technology with a business and management component. It is aimed at the very beginning of the innovation process.

"Those completing the course will be equipped to make technology management and planning decisions, whether starting or operating high-technology ventures or developing spin-off companies."

Applications for the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Applied Science are open now at Lincoln University and the qualification can be completed in one or more years, full or part time.

The core courses for the qualifications are Science and Entrepreneurship in New Zealand, Parts 1 and 2, (SCIE301 & 302) offered through the University of Canterbury, and Business Plan (BMGT310) plus a Research Essay (prefix 398) and a Research Placement (prefix 399) conducted through Lincoln University. The Research Placement course utilises the annual Venture Out programme, run by Powerhouse Ventures, based at Lincoln University.