Porirua will play host to the third annual Whitireia and WelTec Research Symposium (WWRS), presented this year in association with the Open Polytechnic.
The symposium brings together a wide range of presenters, with Professor Ken Udas from the University of Southern Queensland as keynote speaker.
Presenters from Whitireia, WelTec and the Open Polytechnic will be joined by a number of submissions from other tertiary providers, including Manukau Institute of Technology, Waiariki Institute of Technology, Tai Poutini Polytechnic, Otago Polytechnic and Southern Institute of Technology.
In total, 90 submissions will be presented - 74 oral presentations, 14 poster presentations and two exhibitions.
"The breadth of work to be presented is a real showcase for ITP research and illustrates how vibrant the research culture within these organisations has become," says Chris Gosling Whitireia/WelTec CEO.
"By building on our close relationship, Whitireia and WelTec have the opportunity to highlight the hard work and commitment of our research-active staff, supporting emerging researchers and inspiring those who are yet to begin their own research journeys," he says.
The symposium has a multi-disciplinary approach and will be divided into five streams: Teaching and Learning; Māori and Pacific/Early Childhood Education; Business, Engineering, Hospitality and IT; Health and Wellbeing; and Creative and Performing Arts.
Dr Elizabeth Asbury, Whitireia research manager, says the collaboration has received an incredible amount of support from all faculties and research staff across the organisations.
"We're very thankful to everyone who has contributed to and supported this symposium, particularly the presenters who have come to share their work," says Asbury.
"It really has grown from year to year, and tomorrow is shaping up as a great day.
"Next year's event will be held at WelTec and we look forward to receiving another round of high quality submissions across an even broader range of subjects.
"We also greatly appreciate the support of MBIE chief science advisor professor Jim Metson, Ako Aotearoa research manager Rhonda Thompson, and the Royal Society of New Zealand's president, Professor Richard Bedford, and CEO, Andrew Cleland, all of whom will be attending the event tomorrow," she says.
Registration for the symposium opens at 8.30am tomorrow, ahead of an official welcome at 9.00am and the keynote speech at 9.15am. Presentations begin at 9.50am and run through to 4.00pm.
