Innovation is a vital driver for economic growth and prosperity.
It can make small companies hugely successful and a lack of it can drive established global brands into decline.
To help foster and encourage innovation across our business community, we have to recognise and celebrate it when we see it.
This is why Unitec is proud to sponsor the ‘Business Excellence in Innovation’ Category of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2013.
These awards are an important opportunity for us to not only recognise the best of the Indian Business Community but also recognise innovation at all levels.
Apple Inc Co-Founder and Chairman, the late Steve Jobs said, “Innovation has nothing to do with how many dollars you have. It is not about money. It is about the people you have, how you are led, and how much you get it.”
Brilliant Kiwis
Perhaps this is why New Zealand seems particularly innovative in its approach to business. As a country, we have a history of world firsts: A Kiwi was the first to take human flight, the first to split the atom and to reach the world’s highest peak.
At Unitec, we understand the need to foster and nurture innovation. Our lecturers and students are encouraged to look for new and better ways of doing business and the creativity of these fresh perspectives can lead to some truly innovative ideas. In the past few weeks, we have seen Unitec students design a computer game to help promote sustainability to primary school children, build and then race a catamaran in under two hours and two teams of Unitec students have made it to the finals of the UniShorts Film Festival.
Developing businesses
As a business, we are also always looking for creative, innovative ways to develop new business and improve the contribution we can make to our community.
Earlier this year we celebrated the launch of the IBM New Zealand Delivery Centre at Unitec’s Mt Albert campus. This was a first for New Zealand and was officially opened by the Prime Minister John Key (Indian Newslink, March 1, 2013).
130 students have already secured jobs working for IBM on a number of clients, including Westpac and Air New Zealand. About 50 more students are being recruited and we are well on the way to adding 400 jobs to the local economy by the end of 2014.
Innovation is a core part of our business and we are looking forward to the opportunity to recognise the best innovative business in the Indian Business Community at this year’s Awards.
Dr Rick Ede is the Chief Executive of Unitec, New Zealand’s largest Institute of Technology. Unitec is the Sponsor of the ‘Business Excellence in Innovation’ Category of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2013.
