Thursday, November 10, 2005

MEDIA RELEASE

Collaboration bridges the gap between business and education

Demonstration of the significant economic leverage that can be gained from collaboration is at the forefront of a Memorandum of Understanding signed today between Massey University and Enterprise North Shore.

Prof John Raine, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Massey University and Maurice Boland, Chairman of Enterprise North Shore signed the Memorandum of Understanding during a short ceremony at Massey University’s Albany Campus, in the presence of invited business guests and Massey University and Enterprise North Shore staff.

Matching the city’s economic development agency with the city’s largest university is a demonstration of the aim of both organisations to bridge the gap between business and education. Both see this as critical for the prosperity of the North Shore economy.

During 2004, the presence of Massey’s Albany campus contributed a total of $557.1 million to the regional economy and created a total of 908 full time equivalent jobs. “Massey is not only focused on continually lifting teaching and research performance, but Massey’s students and staff are also major contributors to our city’s economy and to regional social development,” said Prof John Raine. “In particular, the contribution of technical and business expertise of our staff, and that of current and future graduates, has significant potential to boost the city’s prosperity over the long-term. Signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Enterprise North Shore demonstrates our shared goals to sustain our city’s future.”

The new agreement follows development of joint projects between Massey University and Enterprise North Shore that are benefiting the North Shore economy. “The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding provides further incentive to leverage from the close relationships that we have built with Massey over the last four years,” says Enterprise North Shore Chairman, Maurice Boland.

"We are attaching considerable importance to partnerships, clusters and teamwork to stimulate economic growth. Generating more sustainable and successful local jobs filled by qualified and employable people is of the essence,” said Mr Boland. “This Memorandum of Understanding formalises the harmony of ambitions already existing between both parties. North Shore City’s future is dependant on the personal qualities that today's students will bring to their careers. They are encouraged to fulfill their life's ambitions here on the North Shore," Mr Boland added.

Enterprise North Shore and Massey University’s e-centre have appointed a joint Business Development Manager, who is tasked with managing projects in which both organisations have a major interest. This role is concentrated on leveraging from the economic growth potential of Massey’s e-centre by bringing together a cluster of high-tech and information and communication technology (ICT) businesses from around the region.

Clearer understanding of issues facing the local labour market has been achieved by research conducted by Massey University for Enterprise North Shore. “Research that we commissioned from Massey University’s Labour Market Dynamics team highlighted the negative impact of the continual migration of 20 – 29 year olds from North Shore,” explained Mr Boland. “A good proportion of these people are graduates from Massey’s Albany campus. It is critical that our two organisations continue to collaborate to find careers for these and others here on the North Shore. Otherwise, continuation of this trend unchecked will ensure that our city will become uncompetitive in international terms,” said Mr Boland.

Demonstration of the new relationship formalised by the Memorandum of Understanding will take place on November 15 during a Strategic Management Committee meeting of North Shore City Councilors. On behalf of Enterprise North Shore, Prof Paul Spoonley, head of Albany’s College of Humanities & Social Sciences, will present to the Committee, the key findings of local labour market research and draw from it conclusions for major local skills initiatives.
Ends

For more information see:
Enterprise North Shore Trust www.ens.org.nz
Massey University http://auckland.massey.ac.nz/

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