Otago Polytechnic/Developing a Research and Enterprise Strategy at OP/Centres of Research Expertise

Centres of Research Expertise (CoRE)

A major platform for developing the research and enterprise activities at Otago Polytechnic is the creation of:
 Centres of Research Expertise (CoREs)

(some headings for explanation)

• Which CoRES will be promoted now
• how to 
• Purpose and role of CoREs
  
• Activities of CoREs
  
• Becoming connected with a CoRE?
  
• Funding for CoREs
  
• Coordinating and managing the CoREs
  
• Facilities associated with CoRESs

NB, needs a discussion of how current (PBRF focussed) research base in schools is enhanced, can benefit - has varied focus etc with introduction of cores'

some notes on Centres of Research Expertise

Centres of Research Expertise : Otago Polytechnic

Concept: Four Centres of Research Expertise (CoRE) are being launched in the next few weeks. The Centres are expected to bring together groups of Otago Polytechnic research active staff and students, to help resolve community and industry identified problems and opportunities, whilst simultaneously developing a new strand of OP's business. This new thrust is being developed in part as a response to the governments expectation of greater technology and knowledge transfer from tertiary institutions to the community.

Purpose of CoREs

Activity within CoRES

Reposition research at Otago Polytechnic as a central component of the Polytechnic’s mission

• Create opportunities for all staff and students of the polytechnic to engage directly in Applied Research activity, through direct engagement with our communities' research and development needs.

Directly serve our communities, business, industry and the professions in resolving their R&D issues.

• Find ways to better connect our expertise and facilities with industry, business, the professions and the communities which we serve. * Create lines of access to our knowledge base and development capabilities

• Engage and include OP employed staff with areas of expertise, which may be made available to help in the resolution of every-day real-world problems * Undertake non commercial and commercial projects in partnership with external collaborators *

Create experiential learning opportunities by involving students and staff in more applied research activities.

• Extend opportunities for research to all of our programs, staff and students (rather than restricting research to those teaching on degree programs). * Improve the research performance of programs which are required to have a research base * Support the development of research in new degree programs * Create R&D opportunities for those willing and able to be involved, in all program areas at OP.

• Provide research and work place learning opportunities for students to enhance their future employment prospects and increase OP's desirability as a place of learning.

Create more opportunities for Staff to maintain currency

• Support staff in maintaining their professional currency, by increased opportunities to engage with industry, business and the professions. * Give staff opportunities to develop their expertise by considering solutions to current real world issues * Mentoring of learners, in collaboration with external partners

Strengthen Otago Polytechnic financially

• Through partnerships with industry, business and the professions in commercial activities * Through accessing grants and (e.g.) Tech Transfer vouchers * increased PBRF incomes (ERI and increased individual activities) * Collaboration with partner institutions

Initially there will be four CoREs focussing on:

* Business Improvement * Innovation * Sustainability * Health and Well-being

These areas are intentionally non specific to disciplines and will involve any/several areas in projects. Each area will be supported by a CoRE coordinator, whose role will include liaison between the particular community (industry, business, profession) and OP expertise. Each coordinator role will be nominally equivalent to 0.25FTE - fixed term for 12 months. These coordinators whilst remaining in their current geographic positions, will be attached to the Research and Enterprise office, but will work closely with Alistair Regan. The nature and scope of each CoRE will be slightly different. Whilst all being multidisciplinary, each will operate in ways appropriate to their constituents. NB It is expected that all Academic and General staff with specialist skills will join at least one CoRE area. Multiple allegiances will be encouraged.

CoREwho/where/what?

Innovation CoRE

• This is based on the capabilities of staff and students in the Design, Engineering and IT domains, whilst also calling on expertise from other parts of the institution and externally. * This CoRE is supported by workshop facilities in A block - the Innovation workSpace and newSplash operations. It is anticipated that these 2 facilities will fully support staff from across the polytechnic in achieving successful project outcomes along with external partners. * The facilities are already very active in external applied research development work on their own account, in which they access expertise from across the Polytechnic and beyond.

• examples of work to date include, Otago Museum - Survival Factor Exhibition, Settlers Museum 1948 Show, Bike New Zealand, new travel cases, Igtimi - Radio Office racing aerial enclosures, IT Capstone projects, the innovation workSpace activities and newSplash projects...

Business Improvement CoRE

• This CoRE will engage with a wide range of organisations with a view to assist in organisational problems e.g. Human Resources, Business Performance and Business excellence. * This is based on the capabilities of all staff and students in the Business, Hospitality, Sports, Design, IT and Engineering domains, whilst also calling on expertise from other parts of the institution and externally. * The School of Business and Centre for Sustainable Practice are already very active in external applied research development work on their own account, in which they access expertise from across the Polytechnic and beyond * examples of work to date include the Bio Diesel project in Queenstown, ....

Sustainability CoRE

• This CoRE will engage with a wide range of organisations to assist in understanding sustainability practice in business and sustainable industry operation.

• This is based on the capabilities of staff and students in the Centre of Sustainable Practice, innovation workSpace, Veterinary Nursing, Sports, Horticulture, Design, Business and IT domains, whilst also calling on expertise from other parts of the institution and externally. * This CoRE is supported by workshop facilities ---where?. * The facilities are already very active in external applied research development work on their own account, in which they access expertise from across the Polytechnic and beyond * examples of work to date include: the Bio diesel project in Queenstown, the Sustainable Habitat Challenge.....

Health and Well-being CoRE

• This CoRE will engage with a wide range of organisations to encourage and assist in developing well-being and healthy living.

• This is based on the capabilities of staff and students in the health group generally, including OT, Nursing, Midwifery, Sports and Social Services along with Design, whilst also calling on expertise from other parts of the institution and externally. * examples of work to date include: OISA 'Spring in to it' project with Customs New Zealand, OT guides and others...

Work in progress, expect frequent changes. Help and feedback is welcome. See discussion page.