1 AUGUST

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

The New Zealand Graduates in Industry Fellowships Scheme

1 Introduction—The Nature of the Scheme

This scheme is intended to assist in developing skills relating to research science and technology. It will provide funds for well-performed graduates in science, technology and engineering to undertake project-based Masters, PhD or other post-graduate research projects, with the projects performed in New Zealand industry.

2 The Objectives of the Scheme

• upgrade scientific and technological skills and competencies in New Zealand companies;
• increase the number of postgraduate scientists, technologists and engineers working in professional roles in New Zealand industry;
• improve linkages between firms and universities;
• create a stronger interest among graduates for careers in New Zealand industry.

3 Mechanisms of Support

The objectives of the scheme will be achieved by providing funding for postgraduate researchers in science, engineering or technology who are conducting a major part of their research project in industry.

4 Targeting of Support

This scheme is aimed at science, technology and engineering graduates who are New Zealand citizens or holders of New Zealand residence permits and who have demonstrated potential to be innovative professionals in industry. This potential may be evident through demonstrated practical achievements, and not only by narrowly academic criteria.

Researchers will be awarded fellowships for a period normally of one to four years. Joint applications will normally identify the academic supervisor, and the mentor in the company, and include their statements of commitment to the project.

The scheme will provide funds for the researcher and will contribute to other costs associated with the project. Funding levels are to be determined by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, on the advice of an Advisory Committee, on a case by case basis. In making its decisions, the Foundation will optimise the number of fellowships in accordance with the objectives of the scheme.

5 Administration and Selection

The Fellowships will be administered by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, using the mechanism of an Advisory Committee chaired by a member of the Foundation, and consisting of science and engineering researchers and industrialists who have experience supervising joint research projects of the kind supported by this scheme.

6 Funding

The scheme has $2.560m to allocate in 1996/97 for 35 to 45 fellowships.

7 Monitoring

The scheme will be monitored by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology.

4 The Māori Fellowships Scheme

Tuāpapa Putaiao Māori Fellowships

1 Introduction—The Nature of the Scheme

The Tuāpapa Putaiao Māori Fellowship Scheme is intended to develop positive role models in order to promote the participation and achievement of Māori in New Zealand science, technology and engineering, at school and undergraduate level. The Scheme will develop or assist in the development of skills relating to research, science and technology among Māori, especially young Māori, by providing opportunities for talented graduates to study for higher degrees. It will assist Māori to gain the scientific qualifications needed to pursue a research career in science, technology, or engineering. It aims to create a stronger interest among Māori school leavers and under-graduate students for research careers in science and technology by supporting the development of Māori scientists, technologists and engineers who can act as role models.

2 The Objectives of the Scheme

The objectives of the scheme are:

• to create positive role models in science, technology and engineering for young Māori;
• to increase the number of Māori graduating with Masters or PhD degrees in science, technology and engineering disciplines from the late 1990s onwards.

3 Mechanisms of Support

The objectives of the scheme will be achieved by providing funding support for Māori post-graduate students undertaking post-graduate degrees in science, technology or engineering at New Zealand tertiary institutions.

4 Targeting of Support

Fellowships will be available to undertake post-graduate degrees in any area of science, engineering or technology, but excluding medicine. However, emphasis will be placed on areas of science engineering or technology where participation by Māori, as evidenced by numbers of Māori graduates, is particularly low. In the first year of this scheme (1996/97), the scheme will be further restricted to exclude post-graduate research in the humanities and social sciences. This restriction will be reviewed before the start of the 1997/98 financial year.

The scheme is targeted towards supporting graduates who can adequately demonstrate Māori descent or whakapapa, who are involved in the Māori community, and have its support.

Fellows under the Scheme will be selected primarily on the basis of:

• academic record
• potential to be a good scientist, technologist or engineer

Consideration will also be given to the following:

• the scope for intellectual and scientific development of the individual Fellow;
• the logistical, intellectual and cultural support offered by the tertiary institution;
• the extent to which the Fellow will contribute to the aims of the Fellowship Scheme by creating a positive role model as a Māori scientist or technologist.

Fellowships are tenable at any New Zealand institution with the ability to grant postgraduate qualifications in the areas of science, technology and engineering covered by the scheme.

5 Administration and Selection

The scheme will be administered by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology using the mechanism of an Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee will be chaired by a member of the Foundation and consist of members who have a range of research expertise in science, engineering and technology. At least 50% of the Advisory Committee shall be Māori. The Foundation may contract some administrative responsibilities to tertiary institutions.