University signs MOU with us
04 October 2022A commitment to work together in addressing issues affecting Tāmaki Makaurau and beyond underpins the Memorandum of Understanding recently signed between the University of Auckland and us.
Having worked closely on a range of projects for a number of years, including student internships, education, research and innovation, we have formalised our working relationships with the signing of the collaboration agreement.
Professor Kobus van Zyl holds our Chair in Infrastructure at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. He said that cooperating on matters of mutual interest offered many benefits and the MOU was building on existing relationships.
"There is a growing awareness of the importance of collaboration between universities and infrastructure providers, and the ways in which their respective strengths can be combined to create synergies." he said.
"Management of the three waters is one of the crucial issues facing this city and in fact most cities around the world. By combining data, skills, and research we can make a significant contribution together",
Professor van Zyl said that the shared areas of interest also went beyond research and innovation.
"Both organisations are aware of the key role that engineering plays in serving the wider community and aspire to build a more diverse industry – including encouraging Māori, Pacific, and women into the workforce."
Apra Boyle Gotla, our Head of Innovation, believes that our alliance with the University will provide real and sustainable benefits.
"It is no coincidence that the most globally impactful water utilities also happen to have strong collaborations with their local universities, as this advances research and innovation and also creates and attracts a skilled workforce," she said.
"This ultimately feeds into longer term, systemic and transformational benefits for the wider Auckland region and New Zealand."
We have been working with the University since the early 1990s, with collaborative activities increasing substantially over the past three years. These include our engineers presenting guest lectures, sharing of data and test samples, honorary appointments and co-authored conference presentations and journal papers.
"Watercare’s data and samples allow our students to work on real-life problems, while often providing useful results to Watercare in return," said Professor van Zyl, "Currently there are 21 students at PhD, Masters and undergraduate levels working on collaborative research projects.
"Recently the university helped Watercare identify a suitable student for their Ara Tātaki Engineering Pathway Scholarship, allowing the recipient to work on the Watercare Central Interceptor project."
The MOU is championed by a Steering Group comprising high-level representatives of both the University and us, with regular reporting ensuring the partnership is on course on its agreed principles to serve the public good and find solutions to the infrastructure challenges of the 21st century.
Photo at top: From left: Naomi Houston, Acting Talent Acquisition Manager, Watercare; Prof Kobus van Zyl, Watercare Chair in Infrastructure, UoA, Prof Gerard Rowe, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, UoA; Dr Erik Lithander, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Strategic Engagement, UoA; Steve Webster, Chief Infrastructure Officer, Watercare; Prof Jason Ingham, Head, Depart Civil and Environmental Engineering, UoA; and Dr Apra Boyle Gotla, Head of Innovation, Watercare.