IBM Partnership

IBM is a founding partner of NZi3. IBM supports NZi3 through its University Relations Programme and the provision of New Zealand’s most powerful scientific research Supercomputer. In addition to these two major components of the relationship IBM has committed to supplying the following:

System and end user support through VPAC, and the facilitation of a closer working relationship between UC and VPAC. Learn more about VPAC (www.vpac.org).
Platinum Sponsorship of the Entré Program for a period of three years.
Software and Education Services from the IBM Advanced Computing and Technology Centre (ACTC).
Technical workshops led by world experts on aspects of supercomputing that are relevant to the UC user community.
Access to IBM’s world wide research centres.

University Relations Programme

The overall objective of the University Relations Programme is to build stronger relationships with the University across a range of initiatives that add value to both organisations

There are 4 key areas:

Research
Skills Development
Recruitment
Community Development

Research
IBM spends approx US$5 billion a year on research. There are 8 research labs across the world; in the US, Europe and Asia Pacific. There are a number of different grants available in this area:

Shared University Research (SUR) Grants – this is a worldwide equipment award initiative designed to promote research in areas of mutual value and interest to IBM and universities.
Faculty Grants – these are awarded to promote collaborative research which focuses on course and curriculum development.
PhD Fellowship Programme – This programme is intended to award exceptional talent studying in areas of interest to IBM. This includes an internship at one of the IBM labs.

Skills Development

IBM Academic Initiative – Students and faculty members can become members and gain access to software, hardware, courseware, training, tools, books, and discounts in disciplines of interest to IBM
IBM Ambassadors Programme – provides a conduit for the sharing of knowledge and expertise between IBM and the University.

Recruitment

Internship Programme – provides students the opportunity to take time out of their study and spend six to nine months working for IBM.
Graduate Recruitment programme –A one year programme in IBM following graduation from the University

Community Relations
The focus of IBM's Community Relations Programme is to enhance educational achievement and support the development and growth of ICT literacy skills.

For more detailed information about the University Relations Programme, click here.

IBM Supercomputer

Also as part of its support for NZi3, IBM has provided UC with New Zealand’s most powerful scientific research computer. It is the latest version of a 128 processor Power 5 machine and can store the equivalent of 3,500 full length feature films.

The UC Supercomputer enables researchers to solve complex research problems using advanced computational techniques, previously unavailable in New Zealand. It also exposes UC students to world-class super-computing as part of their learning experience.

Click here for more information on the UC Supercomputer

Contacts:

Debbie Noon
NZ Corporate Community Relations Manager
IBM New Zealand Ltd
Phone:+64 4 462 3424
Email: debbien@nz.ibm.com

Peter Helms
Director, UC Research Office
University of Canterbury
Phone: + 64 3 364 2688
Email: peter.helms@canterbury.ac.nz