Chevron fuels vehicle technology study, research

Chevron fuels vehicle technology study and research

AUCKLAND, 19 June 2006 – Chevron New Zealand is leading the way in educational research into biofuels and emissions reduction in New Zealand, with the announcement of the first-ever awards for Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) Vehicle Technology department.

Chevron New Zealand country chairman Nick Hannan says there are two awards, one for lecturers, the other for students.

"Chevron will sponsor the Chevron Vehicle Technology Research Fellowship, for lecturers in Automotive Technology to develop emissions, biofuels or alternative fuels research here or overseas. The second award is the Chevron Most Outstanding Student for level 2 (the first year of study) Automotive Engineering Scholarship."

He says the award for students is designed to encourage and motivate students to stay and extend their studies, which MIT's head of division vehicle technology, Alan Winchester, says is a real bonus.

A requirement of the $5,000 award is that it be used to pay for the following year's course fees and books for the most outstanding student, based on on-the-job competence, work ethic, skills and reliability. It will not be available to students who do not continue their study.

"One of the challenges we face is the need to provide students with an incentive to persevere with their studies, as they can be tempted to take up apprenticeships without gaining enough knowledge to prepare them for employment," he says.

"We find students who complete more than one full-time year are a lot more confident and committed to a long-term career in the motor industry. They are better prepared to enter the work force, require a lot less supervision and can contribute more to their employer's business."

MIT is working with Chevron to set criteria for the $6,000 Chevron Vehicle Technology Research Fellowship, which will assist a MIT lecturer to research biofuels, emissions reduction or alternative fuels.

Chevron, a global integrated energy company and the largest alternative fuels provider in the world, will also make its global expertise available to MIT researchers and will make international experts available for guest lectures and lecturer-training.

"Access to some of the most advanced industrial research in the world will greatly enhance what we have to offer emerging vehicle technology experts in New Zealand," says Alan Winchester.

"With an industry partnership of this calibre, we can train local technicians to the highest global standards."

Chevron New Zealand is the first company in New Zealand to provide any form of sponsorship to the Vehicle Technology school and Chevron New Zealand Country Chairman, Nick Hannan, says the company was very privileged to be able to support MIT.

"World wide, Chevron contributes to the social and economic development of the communities in which we operate. In New Zealand, there is a need to encourage higher standards of education and leading-edge technology if we are to seriously address the sustainability issues associated with vehicle use.

"At Chevron, we are working on biofuels, emissions reduction and alternative fuels, and we need future automotive engineers who understand the impact of these technologies on today's road users," says Nick Hannan.

ENDS

© Scoop Media