Artificial intelligence (AI) is the combination of data, algorithms and computing power that can perform tasks that would require intelligence if they were done by a human. It is impacting our lives, businesses and environment even more than the advent of the Internet or even electricity, and presents opportunities that were never before possible.
Undergraduate students
These projects are managed in the university classroom with input from the organisation throughout the process. Students (most will be in their third year) can work as individuals or groups on real projects, key issues or by simulating professional practice while completing academic assessments.
Work-related projects may only require email communication with the partner organisation. The University is relatively flexible on the time that students spend in the workplace, if any.
Timing
The majority of projects will need to fit within the university's trimester dates (generally starting in March, July and November and run for 14 weeks). However there is an opportunity for flexibility in the start date of projects.
Practicums, internships and placements provide an opportunity for students (most will be in their third year) to spend a period of time immersed in an organisation undertaking genuine tasks or a specified project. Students learn to apply theoretical knowledge to practical experiences while completing academic assessments.
Placements can range between 100 and 400 hours in the workplace, and we expect that the partner organisation will allocate a workplace supervisor who is responsible for the day to day oversight of the student. Often the workplace supervisor will be required to complete an evaluation of the student, either during or at the end of the placement.
Timing
The majority of placements will need to fit within the university's trimester dates (generally starting in March, July and November and run for 14 weeks).
However there is an opportunity for flexibility in the start date of placements.
The Internship is the final component of the Master of Information Technology (MInfoTech) programme. The MInfoTech is offered by the Auckland ICT Graduate School, a partnership between University of Auckland and University of Waikato. The programme aims to produce industry-ready graduates and to build stronger collaboration between tertiary education providers and industry.
The industry internship takes up one full trimester of the programme and involves placement in industry. Duration of the internship is for 400 hours (10 weeks / 1 trimester). Interns will be mentored and supported by the employer and by their University supervisor, as they take on a real-world problem in an industry setting. The interns are treated as staff members of the host organisations.
The projects which the interns embark on should be projects which are not business-as-usual. Potential projects may involve research and development that the industry partner may not have the time or expertise to carry out. The interns would help to research possible approaches and build prototypes to determine the feasibility of the projects.
Investment
This is a paid internship; the employer provides a scholarship of $5,500 (plus GST), of which $5,000 is paid to the student as a scholarship award.
Project Descriptions due
- Trimester A (Mar-Jun) - November/December
- Trimester B (Jul-Oct) - March/April
- Trimester C (Nov-Feb) - July/August
Interviews, Assessments & Offer Accepted
- Trimester A (Mar-Jun) - January
- Trimester B (Jul-Oct) - May
- Trimester C (Nov-Feb) - September
Employment Contract and Project Agreement
- Trimester A (Mar-Jun) - February
- Trimester B (Jul-Oct) - June
- Trimester C (Nov-Feb) - October
Internship begins
- Trimester A (Mar-Jun) - March
- Trimester B (Jul-Oct) - July
- Trimester C (Nov-Feb) - November
Internship ends
- Trimester A (Mar-Jun) - June
- Trimester B (Jul-Oct) - October
- Trimester C (Nov-Feb) - February
Summer Research Scholarship
Summer Research Scholarships support students to embark on a research experience with an industry partner. Recipients of a Summer Research Scholarship must submit a research poster at the conclusion of their Scholarship period
Investment
The industry partner establishes a $6,000 scholarship for a student enrolled in a credit bearing paper.
The University of Waikato has made available a limited number of Summer Research Scholarships each year offering co-funding to provide promising students the opportunity to experience the challenges and rewards of research.
Callaghan Innovation also offers a number of opportunities for potential co-funding.
Timing
Scholarships support a ten-week period of full-time research during C Trimester (November to February).
July / August - Project descriptions due
September - Applications due, Interviews, Assessments & Scholarship Awarded & Accepted
October - Contract & Project Agreement
November - Research begins
February - Research ends
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PhD students
PhDs may be undertaken with a significant portion of the time involving the student being placed with an industry partner. This provides an opportunity for a closer connection between the industry partner and the research opportunity which supports the building off research capability within the organisation as well as enabling the student to complete their academic requirements.
PhDs are completed over a period of three years on a full-time basis. The qualification can be completed on a part-time basis.
The student is supervised by two Senior Researchers, one based at the Artificial Intelligence Institute and one based at the Industry organisation.
Investment
The industry partner establishes a competitive scholarship.
To support excellence in postgraduate research, the University of Waikato has made available a limited number of Doctoral Scholarships each year offering co-funding for high-achieving candidates applying for admission to an approved doctoral qualification at the University of Waikato.
Callaghan Innovation also offers a number of opportunities for potential co-funding.
Timing
PhDs commence on the first day of any month from February to November.
Need more information?
If you are interested in finding out more, get in touch.