Over recent years, the MSD subsidiary in New Zealand has sought to express Merck's passion for innovation and science by initiating and developing a science promotion programme.

The programme has been built around MSD NZ's intention to be "the most passionate and creative promoter of science in New Zealand on a small budget". Our goal has been to partner with other organisations where possible and to play a part in developing new models for promoting science in New Zealand.

MSD science promotion programme partners have included the Royal Society, FoRST, Te Papa, science teacher associations, patient groups, ministerial offices & government departments, the NZ Journalists Training Organisation, the Knowledge Wave Trust and the American Chamber of Commerce.

• A major sponsorship with Te Papa to enable the museum to construct and exhibit a family exhibition about the body - called 'Body Odyssey'. The exhibition was opened by Health Minister Annette King in August 2001 and was closed with a function hosted by Science Minister Pete Hodgson in February 2002. It became the most visited short term exhibition in Te Papa's history - attracting more than 111,000 visitors. The sponsorship saw Te Papa present MSD with its 'Best Short-Term Exhibition Sponsor' award for 2001.

• Support for science journalism seminars given by US Science Journalism Professor Emeritus Rob Logan.

• Support for a variety of science related conferences, such as the 2002 Association of Women in Sciences conference, the 2002 SciCon (science teachers) and the two day Science Communicators conference (Te Papa, 2001).

• Involvement and support for the November 2002 Promoting Science: the Business Case seminar organised by the Ministry of Research, Science & Technology.

• The public affairs involvement in initiating and managing the science promotion programme resulted in MSD winning the Public Relations Institute of NZ's 'Supreme Award' in 2002.

11-06-GEN-03-NZ-4250-O

TAPS NA8593

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