Advanced Technology Enterprise students meet U.S. Ambassador
U.S. Ambassador, His Excellency David Huebner met with students on the Master of Advanced Technology Enterprise (MATE) programme.
Victoria University recently welcomed the U.S. Ambassador, His Excellency David Huebner, who met with students on the Master of Advanced Technology Enterprise (MATE) programme.
Ambassador Huebner has extensive experience in international commercial law, working with many successful Silicon Valley companies. The Ambassador offered his insights into the importance of commercial relationships and intellectual property protection, before leading a lively discussion on advanced technology business in New Zealand and the commercialisation of science.
Ambassador Huebner's visit was part of a regular series of visitors to the MATE programme, where experts from academia, business and government meet students, share their experiences and lead discussions on aspects of advanced technology enterprise development.
For the MATE students, creating a network of contacts to draw on for advice, mentoring and possible future employment, funding or collaboration is essential to their success during the programme and upon graduation. A strong emphasis is placed on developing skills required to create these professional relationships and students are encouraged to develop their own networks. The visit of Ambassador Huebner was initiated by Ian Walsh, one of the MATE students.
The Master of Advanced Technology Enterprise is a new, interdisciplinary one-year research programme and is the first of its kind in New Zealand. The programme explores the relationship between scientific research and commercial product development by establishing teams to develop high-value enterprises from research projects with real commercial potential. The MATE programme is open to graduates of science, engineering, design, commerce and law, and graduates of other disciplines with appropriate backgrounds. Enrolments for January 2014 open on 1 October 2013.
Information about the Master of Advanced Technology Enterprise programme is available.
For more information contact Dr Paul Smith, Programme Director, on 021 754 756 or email paul.smith@vuw.ac.nz.