Discovery

Managing Science Graduates

Calls for science graduates to have more management and business-related skills, and for management to be more scientifically and technologically aware has seen the development of a number of targeted courses at universities throughout the country.

Waikato University's new Technology, Management and Innovation Programme offers a series of stand-alone modular courses in specific areas of technology management and innovation. The one-week courses for management can be combined into a Master of Technology Management degree.

The mutual tendency for science and industry to hold each other at arm's length has worked to the country's disadvantage, according to the programme director Dr Chris Kirk. He sees the programme as bringing managers into the tertiary fold, giving mid-career executives a chance to look at the specific needs of industries which apply technology for business growth.

As well as the interactive modules, the programme is offering a number distance-learning opportunities, with ties to the National Technological University (Colorado, US), the Swinburne University of Technology (Melbourne) and the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers of Australia. UK links are also being explored.

"The application of new technology, or adaptation of existing technology for industry, produces many challenges," says Kirk. "Often industries have very good technical people and very good management specialists, but need specific management education to enable them to apply their expertise in a new way that will bring about business growth through effective technological innovation."

Massey University is looking to provide science students with management and business skills, incorporating flexible components from Business Studies into a science degree.

"It is difficult to develop business skills after a science degree has been gained," says programme spokesperson Associate Professor Sylvia Rumball. "In the past, students have gained their BSc or MSc, then, while they are working, they have done an MBA or some other management training, but this is very difficult for young scientists because of lack of time, family commitments and financial demands."

The programme, offered at the university's Albany campus, is seen as a response to market demands.

"Employers are asking for...skills, such as management training, human resource management and environmental resource management. The students who study such areas may well have the edge when it comes to job prospects."