| Communications and Development |  |
Published by Communications and Development
The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB), in conjunction with the University of Canterbury, is launching a new initiative that will see it funding several health-related masters research projects.
The scholarships, which will cover tuition fees, living and research-related costs, will be available for the next academic year, beginning in February 2009. Applications for the scholarships close on Wednesday 15 October.
Under the new initiative, Canterbury University students will be given the opportunity to undertake research opportunities in a health environment. The findings of the research projects are in turn expected to help the CDHB to make improvements to its day-to-day business.
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| Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Town (right) signs the scholarship agreement with Canterbury District Health Board Chairman Alister James. |
Initially, scholarships will be offered in eight areas that the CDHB has identified would benefit from further research. They cover a range of topics including the effectiveness of internal communications and investigating different forecasting techniques for predicting daily patient demand. Students will be supervised by University staff and sponsored by a CDHB manager.
CDHB Senior Business Manager Judith Sugden said she was delighted the board would be able to develop a closer relationship with UC through the new initiative. The CDHB already had close links with the University of Otago through its medical school.
“This collaboration will be of mutual benefit to both organisations because students will have the opportunity to undertake health research in a real-world environment. In turn, the research will have the potential to improve ways of working at the CDHB.”
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Town said the new arrangement would have mutual benefits.
“Our students will have the opportunity to work on real-world health issues; the CDHB will have access to our world-class researchers; and the University will increase its contribution to the advancement of health services.
“Canterbury University is recognised nationally as a leading provider in a number of allied health fields. This agreement with the CDHB will allow us to build on these strengths,” he said.
For further information please contact:
John MacDonald
Corporate Affairs Manager
University of Canterbury
Ph: (03) 364 2910
Mob: 021 417 289
john.macdonald@canterbury.ac.nz