The New Zealand Herald reports that the government is funding a trade show at AUT next month promoting university research to businesses. More than 200 business people are expected to attend and seven of New Zealand’s eight universities will be represented at the show.

The trade shows are funded through the University Commercialisation Office of New Zealand, which was formed in 2005 to bring the universities’ commercialisation offices together.

The government funding – provided through the Tertiary Education Commission mirrors government’s current policy direction that research coming out of New Zealand’s tertiary education institutions should have greater applicability to businesses.   For instance, the Commission’s PBRF funding guidelines last year placed greater emphasis on commercial research and the entrepreneurial application of research.

AUT vice-chancellor Derek McCormack said several other shows had been held and more would be held this year, giving 14 in total over two years. The shows were being held to demonstrate to businesses the benefit of working with universities and using their research.

“This event is more about raising awareness for the business sector on working with universities than just commercialising research,” said Mr McCormack.

“The programme was put forward by Business New Zealand, which was concerned universities were not interested in working with businesses. But for the universities that wasn’t true. We were very interested. So this is a way to bring the two together and build a relationship.”