New agreement will lead to wide-ranging collaboration
University of Canterbury Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr (left) and ESR Chief Executive Graham Smith sign an MOU between the two organisations.
8 February 2012
The University of Canterbury and ESR have signed a memorandum of agreement that formalises the existing collaborative relationship between the two organisations and will lead to wide-ranging collaboration.
In addition to working together on research projects, ESR and UC propose to jointly pursue commercialisation opportunities, to work together on the development and delivery of higher degree courses and programmes, to share data, archives, collections, equipment and facilities, and to work together to co-supervise postgraduate students.
University of Canterbury Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr said he is looking forward to seeing the outcomes from future projects between researchers at ESR and UC.
“We have a very good working relationship with ESR already and the new MOA will embed that collaboration and provide a framework for new collaborative activities in a range of areas. Not only are ESR and UC geographical neighbours but we are both part of the collective research intelligence and learning heart of the Canterbury region.”
ESR Chief Executive Graham Smith said that while ESR and UC already share a number of common areas of interest in water, social systems and the environment there are also other areas to develop including computer engineering, bioinformatics and physics.
“In December 2011, ESR acquired the operational science and technical functions of the National Radiation Laboratory (NRL) from the Ministry of Health. NRL operations reside in Christchurch, so it is very appropriate that we explore opportunities for radiological scientific and research collaboration with the University.”
UC and ESR researchers are holding workshops to identify existing points of collaboration and to work together to determine additional projects that might benefit from a joint approach.
The MOA will remain in place for an initial period of five years.
About ESR
ESR is one of eight Crown Research Institutes owned by the government on behalf of the people of New Zealand. ESR’s work underpins the health and justice systems in New Zealand through the provision of science services and research.
ESR is:
- principal science advisor to the Ministry of Health
- sole provider of forensic services to the New Zealand Police
- a science partner of MAF
- science provider to New Zealand Customs, Medsafe, and Department of Corrections
- science advisor for local authorities, industry organisations, and the private sector
For further information see: www.esr.cri.nz or contact:
For more information please contact:
Jacquie Walters
Public Relations Consultant
University of Canterbury
Ph 027 503 0168