The Specific Challenges of Electronics and It Education in New Zealand

Abstract

New Zealand is probably best known for its geographical isolation, clean and green image, friendly people, the quality of its agricultural products and for its sporting prowess. It is not widely known that New Zealand is also a country that has rapidly adopted and adapted emerging information and communication technologies. The concept of the knowledge-based economy has recently become central to the country’s Research and Development and industrial development strategy into the 21^st Century. New Zealand has the strong and sound fundamentals to succeed in this drive. It is especially strong in infrastructure and the use of Information technology. At the same time the country faces significant challenges in its drive towards becoming a true information society, prominent among them are the challenges in tertiary engineering education.