Master of Innovation and Commercialisation Develop innovative ideas into real-life products
MASTER OF INNOVATION AND COMMERCIALISATION Do you want to be a product manager or designer, commercialisation specialist, business analyst or consultant, or do you want to lead or start a business? With this programme you will develop the practical skills and experience required. It s ideal for those with a background in engineering, science, business, law or design. Students of the practice-based MInnComl will both develop an individual project that interests them and work within a multidisciplinary team, consisting of fellow students. This will all be done with active support from a range of industry, government and research organisations that are associated with innovation and commercialisation. The MInnComl programme is multidisciplinary and has been developed in association with the faculties of Engineering, Law, Science, Victoria Business School and Architecture and Design. WORK WITH YOUR CURRENT OR POTENTIAL FUTURE EMPLOYER Your innovation project could be developed in conjunction with a commercial organisation or the University, or you could work on your own project. If you re currently employed, your project could be something you re already working on or hope to work on. Completing the programme could help boost the project s chances of success and you ll gain a valued qualification in the process. If you re not currently employed, you could work on a project alongside a commercial or research-based organisation. The University has relationships with a range of organisations, and will help you make the match. You may even qualify for a paid internship or a scholarship. On this programme, you will gain a breadth of skills and industry contacts together with the type of practical experience that is sought by employers. - 2 -
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN Graduates of the MInnComl programme will: know how to assess the feasibility of new products understand the process of developing new products and taking them to market, including research, design and manufacturing considerations understand issues regarding intellectual property protection, regulatory requirements, funding options and financial forecasting be able to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, as well as with research, industry and government organisations know how to prepare a business case for the development and commercialisation of new products. TYPES OF INNOVATION PROJECTS The type of project you work on depends on your background, your interests, and who you want to work with. This could include any or all of the following: creating a new product or improving on an existing one exploring the development and commercialisation of scientific research solving a need that you ve identified in the market improving the research, manufacturing and commercialisation processes of products. The common theme is that you want to learn how to develop and commercialise innovations successfully. OPEN TO MOST DISCIPLINES To obtain entry into this programme you will need an undergraduate degree from within a range of disciplines including business, design, engineering, law and science among others. Prior knowledge is not required in any specific discipline. You will need to hold a threeyear degree with a B+ average at 300-level from any New Zealand university or, at the discretion of the Associate Dean (Students) of the Faculty of Science, from another university; and approval by the programme director and the MInnComl board of studies. - 3 -
HOW IT WORKS Develop an industry or research-based project that interests you Gain work-ready multidisciplinary skills in innovation and commercialisation and a sought after qualification Receive comprehensive support and training from wide networks PROGRAMME STRUCTURE The MInnComl is offered as a full-time programme of four papers over four trimesters, including a significant individual project. Part One is an introductory course, commencing in Trimester Three, 2015. Part Two comprises two courses plus a significant feasibility analysis and development plan for your individual project, called a research portfolio. All courses are compulsory and each course involves a combination of workshops, lectures, guest speakers and team work. - 4 -
PART ONE ATEN 504 Introduction to Innovation and Commercialisation (15 points) Trimester 3, 2015 (commences January 20) An introduction to the fundamental concepts of developing and commercialising innovation-based projects, including: selecting your innovation-based project exploring options for developing and commercialising your project strategy, legal, financial, validation and product development practices developing your research portfolio proposal. PART TWO ATEN 502 Strategy and Validation (30 points) Trimester 1, 2016 An exploration of ways to develop and validate your proposed strategy, including: appropriate market and product validation processes product development and commercialisation strategies, including technology transfer implications. ATEN 503 Development and Commercialisation (15 points) Trimester 2, 2016 An exploration into the processes involved in developing and potentially commercialising your project, including: what to do with the market and product validation findings the steps involved in product development and commercialisation. ATEN 591 Innovation and Commercialisation Research Portfolio (120 pts) Trimester 1, 2016 (duration 9 to 12 months) This is where you will bring everything together. You will apply your own discipline-specific knowledge and experience, as well as that of other students, researchers and industry, to research and develop your project. The outcome will be a significant feasibility analysis and development plan. Throughout the MInnComl, students will work as individuals and as part of a team, gaining the skills and experience required to work effectively both independently and in multidisciplinary teams. - 5 -
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Students come to study at Victoria from all over the world 3,000 international students from more than 100 countries currently make up the international student population. There are many international communities in the city, and the University runs an International Buddy Programme to provide ongoing advice and support to new international students as they settle into life in Wellington. Victoria International Victoria International looks after the needs and welfare of international students and provides support and advice. Their staff will meet you at the airport and introduce you to Victoria and Wellington. Victoria International runs an orientation programme one or two weeks before the beginning of each trimester. This includes a tour of Wellington and an introduction to Kiwi culture. Competence in English When applying for the MInnComl programme, you will need to provide evidence of a high level of English language skill. If your first language is not English, you must show evidence of competence in English by taking a recognised test of English language proficiency IELTS overall band of 6.5 with no sub-score below 6, or TOEFL 90 on the internet-based test with at least 20 in writing. If you need to study English before beginning the programme, it is strongly recommended that you attend the 12-week English Proficiency Programme at Victoria s English Language Institute. The programme can be joined at different times of the year (March, July or November). Application procedure International students should apply through Victoria International. Go to www.victoria.ac.nz/international If your application is successful, you will be advised of all subsequent necessary procedures, such as obtaining a student visa. Information is also available from New Zealand diplomatic or trade offices. - 6 -
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON Victoria University of Wellington is New Zealand s top ranked University for research quality, with a proud tradition of academic excellence and students that are highly regarded all over the world. Our four campuses are centrally located in Wellington a compact, cosmopolitan capital city by the sea with diverse and abundant social and cultural activities. Students benefit from our proximity to government, business and research institutes, enabling collaborations with a wide variety of organisations and the opportunity to work on relevant, real-world problems. Useful links Wellington: www.wellingtonnz.com New Zealand: www.newzealand.com Future students at Victoria: www.victoria.ac.nz/study Immigration: www.immigration.govt.nz English Proficiency Programme: www.victoria.ac.nz/lals Important notice: Victoria University uses all reasonable skill and care to ensure the information contained in this document is accurate at the time of being made available. However, matters covered by this document are subject to change due to a continuous process of review, and to unanticipated circumstances. The University therefore reserves the right to make any changes without notice. So far as the law permits, the University accepts no responsibility for any loss suffered by any person due to reliance (either whole or in part) on the information contained in this document, whether direct or indirect, and whether foreseeable or not. - 7 -
To apply and find out more about the MInnComl, contact: Programme Director Jenny Douché Phone 04-463 5479 Email jenny.douche@vuw.ac.nz Associate Dean (Students) Shona de Sain Phone 04-463 5092 Email shona.desain@vuw.ac.nz Website www.victoria.ac.nz/innovation-commercialisation For general information contact: Victoria University of Wellington PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand Phone +64-4-472 1000 Email info@victoria.ac.nz Website www.victoria.ac.nz International students should contact: Victoria International Phone +64-4-463 5350 Email victoria-international@vuw.ac.nz Website www.victoria.ac.nz/international - 8 - FS0131