Wintec Annual Report 2009

HIGHLIGHTS
RELEVANT RESEARCH AND
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
NEW DIRECTION FOR RESEARCH
Research continues to be a critical part of
what we do, especially given our increasing
level of degree and postgraduate provision.
This year we made some significant changes
to the way we do research at Wintec, with
the implementation of a new research,
development and transfer (RDT) strategy.
These changes will ensure the quantity
and quality of our research continues
to improve, resulting in a better return -
both financially and reputationally - on our
research investments. It will also ensure
that much of our research is of direct
benefit to local employers and industry,
enhancing our reputation for relevant,
technical problem solving.
Part of the new strategy included a research
voucher scheme being piloted with four
employers towards the end of the year.
This type of scheme, which has been
successfully utilised overseas, sees small
to medium businesses and community
organisations essentially commission Wintec
staff to find solutions, through research,
to their everyday problems.
COMMERCIAL REALITIES
During 2009 we continued to develop our
commercialisation framework and activities.
This framework enables us to engage in
commercial activity internally as well as work
with our commercial arm, PRIMA Group, on
projects where scale and the need to raise
capital make it appropriate to develop the
ventures outside of Wintec.
Our existing, internally managed commercial
activity, such as the Industry Training Centre,
resulted in a healthy end of year surplus.
The Curriculum Factory, which designs and
publishes courseware, grew its revenue
from external customers during 2009.
In recognition of the potential for further
growth in revenue, we moved the
Curriculum Factory under PRIMA.
Our close relationship with Chengdu
University in China led to a large commercial
contract to host and provide training to 14 of
their top media arts academic staff members
over a six month period. As a result of the
success of this project, we will host another
group of staff in 2010.
Our PRIMA arm continued to make good
progress with its subsidiaries: Learning
Works, which provides tailored training
solutions; and Vital English, an online English
education solution.
CHANGES TO
THE WAY WE DO
RESEARCH WILL
ENSURE MUCH OF
OUR RESEARCH
DEVELOPMENT
AND TECHNOLOGY
TRANSFER IS OF
DIRECT BENEFIT
TO EMPLOYERS
AND INDUSTRY.
Wintec Annual Report 2009 _ 21