Boost for 3D innovation welcomed

For immediate release

Boost for 3D innovation welcomed

AUCKLAND, 29 May 2007

A Government commitment of $7million for R&D in the 3D digital content and graphics industry is a welcome boost to innovation in a key sector, Dr Peter Lee, CEO of UniServices, said today.

Speaking at a function at UniServices House, where the Hon Trevor Mallard, the Minister for Economic Development announced the new funding, Dr Lee said ongoing investment in R&D was vital if New Zealand was to continue to build clusters of outstanding expertise and sustainable global competitiveness.

“Everything we do at UniServices is focused on supporting innovation. We know first-hand that very significant new wealth is created through market-savvy R&D, and we are delighted to support new investment in a multi-billion global sector where New Zealand has already shown it can be a winner,” he said.

Mr Mallard said the funding would support research commissioned by NextSpace, a not-for-profit subsidiary of Right Hemisphere Limited, from New Zealand universities and research organisations over the next three years.

Dr Lee said UniServices has been moving successfully to build R&D capacity across New Zealand’s IT sector through ongoing research and consulting and through special business units it had established at The University of Auckland.

In 2006, the Centre for Software Innovation established by UniServices at the University had reached its first $1 million in contracts in its first year.

“We fully support innovative funding,” Dr Lee said. “The Government’s support for this initiative is designed to strengthen the research sector, and further advance a process of bringing business and academic research together to accelerate R&D and create new opportunities for the New Zealand economy.“

ENDS

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