Background

The CITRUS vision is one of applied ICT research adding real value to regional economies and communities based intrinsically on a model of innovation in applied research leading to commercialisation. UNITEC's Centre for IT Research is the first hub in a national network of applied ICT research centres. CITRUS has been developed through the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications, who's members are the New Zealand polytechnics and institutes of technology as well as Massey University, Wellington and AUT. After UNITEC, the second hub is planned for Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin. As the value and importance of research in the NACCQ sector is becoming increasingly recognised, CITRUS brings together regionalised research projects. CITRUS introduces a collaborative framework that can provide mentorship, networking and support to ensure that polytechnic-based research in ICT is focused and reaching its full potential.

With CITRUS able to co-ordinate national level projects, regionally-based and inter-institutional research clusters can be created, managed and resourced so that CITRUS:

Builds a community of ICT researchers (across-the-board)
Increases financial support for research activities (targeted)
Increases the critical mass of new researchers (new directions)
Develops and supports research centres and clusters (seeks excellence)
Develops formal research linkages with other institutions (outreach)
Leverages localised partnerships with industry, community and iwi (inclusive)

The CITRUS vision is one of applied ICT research adding real value to regional economies and communities and is based on a model of innovation in applied research leading to commercialisation. The first centres will be operated by UNITEC's School of Computing and IT and Otago Polytechnic as lead partners on behalf of the National Advisory Committee for Computing Qualifications (NACCQ). NACCQ members are the information and computing technology schools in all the New Zealand Polytechnics, Massey University Wellington and AUT. The proposal for a national centre is endorsed by the Association of Polytechnics of New Zealand (APNZ) and enjoys the support of Waitakere City Council. CITRUS introduces a national collaborative framework that will provide mentorship, networking and support to ensure that polytechnic-based research in ICT is focused and reaching its full potential in the same way that the NACCQ has brought together academic development, staff development and collaboration over the last 14 years. The dynamic field of ICT research means that intellectual property issues pose difficulties for many researchers who lack the commercial experience and resources, CITRUS will as part of its mandate develop policies and expertise in the effective management of intellectual property and will actively work with local research clusters to promote the best results for stakeholders. This leads directly to a significant role of CITRUS, which is to facilitate the incubation and commercialisation of research projects.

CITRUS is established as a Charitable Trust acting as a co-ordinated national body, this enables regionally-based and inter-institutional research clusters to be created, managed and resourced.

Publications and background material about CITRUS
For more information contact: Noel Bridgeman or Sam Mann

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