Academy 2008 - REMINDER - sign up this week

Reminder - the deadline for company registration and project descriptions is this Friday, 7th November.

Please go to the Company Sign Up page, register you company, then login to register your proposed project description(s).

Dear CSI newsletter subscriber,

I'm writing to let you know that The University of Auckland’s CSI Academy internship programme is running again this year, and we are seeking company involvement.

Please note that, due to the delays we have had, there is a very short deadline for applications - these are due in by 7th November.

Apologies for the late notification, but we have been delayed in publicising the scheme as we awaited changes in the rules which TechNZ apply to the scheme. As they provide significant funding for the scheme via their TIF grants, these were worth the wait as they are all positive for you and the students.

The CSI Academy is a structured summer internship scheme, organized by the Centre for Software Innovation and aimed at facilitating academic and industry interaction. You, as a company, propose projects, provide project sponsors and mentors and a small monetary contribution. We supply high performing, motivated students, an academic mentor, professional project management, and we assist you to apply for Technology for Industry Fellowships (TIFs). We also provide a seminar programme of interest to students and company representatives alike. A minimum of two senior undergraduate students will participate in each project. The scheme runs over the summer period (from the 1st December 2008 to late February 2009). Students work in your company for approx 400 hours (plus an allowance for holidays).

We have had excellent feedback from companies and students alike over their experience with the last four years of the academy programme and very much look forward to your participation this year. Benefits for companies include:

• Working with and helping to develop potential new hires
• Access to high calibre students (the Academy selects only high achieving students for participation)
• Advancing in-house investigative projects
• Developing staff mentoring and project management skills
• Networking with other New Zealand ICT companies
• Relationship building with the University and its staff

For those who have taken part in the Academy in previous years please note that there are several changes in this year’s programme. In particular students are paid a $16 per hour salary (which you reclaim from TechNZ) rather than a scholarship, and TechNZ have broadened company eligibility requirements, meaning most employers are now eligible. Full details of the programme, together with company and project registration details can be found on our Academy website: http://www.csi.ac.nz/academy

Please go to the Company Sign Up page, register you company, then login to register your proposed project description(s).

If you have enquiries about any aspect of the programme, please don't hesitate to contact the CSI Academy project manager Richard Li (l.li@cs.auckland.ac.nz).

We very much hope you take part in the Academy programme this year. Those who have taken part in previous years have found the experience rewarding. With the job market in our sector still booming, the scheme provides an excellent opportunity for you to build a relationship with a group of bright young future staff members. If you know of others who may benefit from the scheme, please don't hesitate to pass this email on to them.

Again, please note that, due to the delays we have had, there is a very short deadline for applications - these are due in by 7th November.

John Hosking
Director Centre for Software Innovation
Professor of Computer Science
Department of Computer Science The University of Auckland Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Ph: +64 9 3737-599 ext 88297 or Mobile + 64 21 565-300
Fax: +64 9 3737-453
Email: john@cs.auckland.ac.nz
WWW: http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~john