New Science Award Promotes Industry Leadership

MEDIA RELEASE :14 May, 2008

New Science Award Promotes Industry Leadership

Key players in the science community are being offered the chance for an all expenses paid placement on the prestigious Hillary Leadership Programme.

The opportunity is being provided by way of a scholarship from the Cawthron Institute Trust to enhance leadership capacity within New Zealand’s science sector.

The Trust owns the Cawthron Institute, which provides high quality research, advice and analytical services to support the development of New Zealand’s seafood industry and sustainable management of the coastal and freshwater environment.

The newly announced ‘Cawthron Science Leader Award’ valued at almost $25,000 will cover all course, travel, accommodation and associated costs for the successful applicant to participate in the 18-month programme.

Trust Board Chair, Dr Oliver Sutherland, sees it as a tangible expression of Cawthron’s commitment to promoting and developing scientific excellence.

“We hope it will not only celebrate leadership in our sector but also actively encourage the award winner to extend his or her leadership impact within the science community.”

The Cawthron Science Leader Award is a key component of a newly formed partnership between Cawthron and Excelerator: New Zealand Leadership Institute which is part of the University of Auckland Business School and runs the Hillary Leadership Programme.

This national programme brings together senior leaders and high potential individuals from across sectors and geographies to develop their leadership capacity.

Cawthron becomes the tenth partner of Excelerator: New Zealand Leadership Institute joining other high profile organisations including the University of Auckland Business School, Westpac, Deloitte, Bell Gully, Tindall Foundation, Sleepyhead, Woolf Fisher Trust, DB Breweries and Hudson, all of whom have a commitment to building the leadership capacity of New Zealand as well as their own organisation and sector.

Dr Sutherland says the Cawthron Trust Board firmly believes in the need for the science sector to invest in its future leaders.

“Science provides a significant contribution to innovation-based development of our economy.
It is important we develop science leadership skills – not only within the science sector itself but to also take those science skills and knowledge into New Zealand Government and business.”

He says there can be no doubting the science sector is an integral part of New Zealand’s prosperity.

“Encouraging recognition and development of the leadership required to strengthen its contribution to society, with greater innovation, collaboration and connectivity, is the very reason we have entered into this partnership with Excelerator.”

Applications for the inaugural Cawthron Science Leader Award will close on 20th June.

The award recipient will embark on the Hillary Leadership Programme with successful applicants from other sectors in October 2008.

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