NMIT tutors get $1 million funding boost for research excellence

Research is an important component of Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology's (NMIT’s) degree programmes, ensuring that students get the best of both worlds — hands-on, industry-focused degree programmes taught by experts at the forefront of their respective fields.

“Many of our tutors are doing high-level research across a wide range of subjects,” says Matt Peacey, NMIT Research Manager.

“These research projects provide more learning opportunities for students.”

NMIT has a strong focus on applied research that seeks to solve real-world problems facing our industry partners, our region, and our planet.

For example, NMIT staff have been undertaking innovative climate change research for several years, looking at the impacts of heat stress on health and productivity.

This work has attracted international attention and could be applied to improving conditions for workers around the world, saving lives and money.

Other staff have been researching the potential use of ongaonga, a native stinging nettle, as a neuropathic pain relief, which could help people affected by debilitating conditions like diabetes.

Students at NMIT benefit from learning under subject-matter experts and, in some cases, being directly involved in research projects that are integrated into a degree programme, such as Aquaculture and Marine Conservation. These include an ongoing fish diet research contract with a feed company. Aquaculture Programme Coordinator, Dr Mark Burdass says, “It is industry focused and the students report back key quality measures.” Students also do their own research projects. In recent years these have included investigating if the invasive alga commonly called didymo, is inhibited by phosphorus and how salmon fillet quality is affected by different feed, he said.

NMIT was recently awarded more than $1 million of government funding to support new and established research projects.

The funding was granted by the Tertiary Education Commission’s Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF), a contestable fund that rewards excellent research in the tertiary education sector.

It recognises that NMIT tutors are performing at a high level with 17 staff receiving funding.

“It’s great to know our tutors are receiving performance-based funding” Peacey says.

“It shows NMIT staff are footing it with some of the best researchers at universities and other tertiary education institutions around the country.”

Our commitment to research is balanced with our practical, hands-on approach to education that prepares students for the workforce.

Through our collaboration with industry, our degree programmes get graduates work-ready with the skills and knowledge they need to walk straight into a job.

Come along to the Degree evening this Wednesday to learn about NMIT degrees.

Find out more about NMIT degrees on offer: NMIT degree programmes

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