Latest News

Two IT Awards programmes now open

Friday, 26 June 2009 10:43

There are two award programmes currently running for ICT based programmes or products. They are the Access to Learning Award and New Zealand's own Focus on Health

Tthe Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, million dollar Access to Learning Award

Given each year by Global Libraries, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Access to Learning Award recognizes the innovative efforts of public libraries or similar organizations outside the United States to connect people to information through free access to computers and the Internet.

The award is for non-American libraries only so you will be up against some of the most innovative people in the world who do astonishing things with almost nothing.

The second is an exclusively New Zealand based award for innovation in Health Services called Focus on Health: A New Zealand Innovation Challenge, developed by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

While it is not exclusively an ICT-based award, ICT based products or services have at least as good a chance as any other.

The award runs over over 12 months with two rounds. It offers the opportunity to fast track your idea to United States based buyers, investors and partners. There are compelling reasons to enter, including the chance to win a share of over $500,000 of in-kind and cash prizes, mentoring, local and international partnership opportunities, and a world-class network of useful contacts.

New Zealand based companies, organisations, post graduates, researchers, health professionals and entrepreneurs, individuals and not-for-profit organisations are all eligible to enter.

Entries could include software, hardware, medical device, bioactive or pharmaceutical products and services.

The Challenge brings together an extensive network of United States and New Zealand based judges, advisors, and mentors from medical, academic and business backgrounds, as well as potential investors, buyers and partners. As participants move through The Challenge they will receive expert advice and feedback from The Challenge Network.

If you decide to enter  either of these awards, please keep 2020 Trust informed and feel free to ask for our support.

Wellington ICT appoints new director!

Monday, 04 May 2009 12:50

Wellington 2020 Communications Trust has appointed Joel Umali as their new director, replacing Mike Rumble who is stepping down in July.

Welcome aboard Joel!

Stephan wins International Award

Sunday, 03 May 2009 10:46

Stephan Gerschewski, who worked for 2020 while completing his Master's Degree at Victoria University and is now a doctoral student, has won the Best Proposal Award at the recent Australia and New Zealand International Business Academy conference in Brisbane.  Stephan's research, which he presented at the ANZIBA Research Students' Colloquium, deals with performance among "born" global firms - those which internationalise early.  Well done Stephan and thanks to Education Review (Vol 14. No 16 May 1 2009) for alerting us.

eDay Wins Hi-Tech Award

Saturday, 02 May 2009 17:07

The 15th annual PricewaterhouseCoopers Hi-Tech Awards were presented to 11 recipients on Friday night (1 May 2009) in a special award cermony at the Christchurch Convention Centre. Computer Access New Zealand (CANZ), organiser of the national eDay programme, was honoured as the recipient of the award for Outstanding Industry Initiative.   Laurence Zwimpfer accepted the award from Fred Hutchings Managing Partner of the South Island business unit of PricewaterhouseCoopers on behalf of the 1000 volunteers, the 30 local authorities and the 100 companies and government agencies that supported eDay 2008.

 

He was joined at the Awards event by key partners from eDay 2008, including Nicky Wagner MP, Howard Baldwin (Ministry of Education), both pictured  with Laurence. Also attending were Cr Chrissie Williams (Christchurch City Council), Richard Priddle (KiwiRail), Harold Williams (Christchurch eDay Coordinator) and Sue Sutherland (2020 Trustee).

eDay Programme is a finalist in Hi Tech Awards

Thursday, 26 March 2009 21:21

The Trust's eDay programme has become one of three finalists in the PricewaterhouseCoopers New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards in the Outstanding Industry Initiative category.

The awards are dedicated to recognising excellence and success. It is the only Awards programme to fully focus on New Zealand's software, electronics, biotechnology, telecommunications and creative technology industries

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