Sharechat Logo

Industrial Research to morph into advanced technology institute

Thursday 3rd November 2011

Text too small?

Industrial Research, the crown research institute with concentrated chemistry, physics, mathematics and applied engineering skills, is to receive a $150 million cash injection over five years to boost its science output. 

IRL is to be transformed by the additional investment into an advanced technology institute (ATI) which will act as a “high-tech HQ” for New Zealand, Prime Minister John Key said.

An additional $80 million is to be earmarked from the Future Investment Fund for capital spending on new buildings and equipment in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch.

The creation of an ATI was recommended in a ‘Powering Innovation’ report released today, written by John Raine, Mina Teicher and Phil O’Reilly following their independent review of the nation’s high-value manufacturing sector.

The report said the sector has great potential, but needs the support and expertise of technology-focused research to grow, ramp up productivity and increase exports.

“High-tech sectors could contribute substantially more to the economy than they currently do,” said Key. “We already have successful companies in this sector, particularly in areas like ICT, biotechnology and medical technology, but we need more of them and we need them to be bigger.”

The move will effectively double IRL’s size and capability to up to 700 staff, with the ATI to have a strong business-focused culture.  

Its remit is to be close to where the country’s high-tech businesses are located, though whether this means the construction of a new Gracefield campus is still to be determined by the creation of more detailed business plans. 

Key said the ATI will be a natural conduit for engineering and applied science graduates, “meaning many of our best and brightest engineers and scientists will stay here in New Zealand.”

The additional investment doesn’t add to any of the funding tracks in the Pre-Election Update, there is no extra debt and surplus and deficit forecasts remain the same said Key. The estimated $30 million a year of additional research funding will be paid out of the new operating allowance in next year’s Budget he said.

(BusinessDesk)

BusinessDesk.co.nz



  General Finance Advertising    

Comments from our readers

No comments yet

Add your comment:
Your name:
Your email:
Not displayed to the public
Comment:
Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved.

Related News:

SML - Synlait Milk Limited - Trading Halt of Securities
AIA - Auckland Airport announces board chair changes
AIA - Auckland Airport announces board chair changes
CEN - Tauhara commissioning progress update
FPH initiates voluntary limited recall
March 28th Morning Report
KFL Celebrates 20 Years of Excellence in Investment Mgmt.
SVR - Savor FY24 Earnings Guidance & Change in Banking Partner
NZK - NZ King Salmon Investments Limited FY24 Results
March 27th Morning Report