2. School & College Eligibility

Schools and colleges may register their interest in receiving equipment through the scheme.

Registration does not guarantee that equipment will be available or allocated. The scheme depends upon suitable microscopes being donated, successfully assessed and prepared for educational use.

When allocating equipment, Auckland Scientific Ltd may consider factors including:

• The type and quantity of equipment available
• The proposed educational use
• The age or student group involved
• The suitability of the microscope for the intended application
• The number of students expected to benefit
• Location and practical collection or delivery arrangements

3. Educational Use

Equipment supplied through the scheme is intended primarily for educational and teaching purposes.

Participating schools and colleges must not sell equipment supplied through the scheme for commercial gain.

If equipment is no longer required, the recipient is encouraged to contact Auckland Scientific Ltd so that, where practical, it may be reused again.

4. Donating Equipment

Businesses, laboratories, universities, manufacturers and other organisations may offer microscopes and associated equipment to the scheme.

Providing details of equipment does not automatically mean Auckland Scientific Ltd will accept it. Equipment may be declined if it is unsuitable, unsafe, incomplete, excessively damaged or uneconomic to refurbish.

Donors should provide as much information as possible, including the manufacturer, model, quantity, condition, accessories and previous use.

5. Ownership & Authority to Donate

The donating organisation must own the equipment or otherwise have authority to transfer it into the Second Life Microscopes Scheme.

Once equipment has been formally accepted and transferred to Auckland Scientific Ltd, Auckland Scientific Ltd may determine how it is used within the scheme unless another arrangement has been agreed in writing.

This may include refurbishment, redistribution, use of suitable components to support other equipment, or responsible recycling where reuse is not practical.

6. Equipment Assessment & Refurbishment

Equipment accepted into the scheme will be assessed before being offered to a school or college.

Depending on its type and condition, preparation may include:

• Inspection
• Cleaning
• Functional testing
• Adjustment
• Servicing
• Minor repair or refurbishment where appropriate

Auckland Scientific Ltd reserves the right to decide whether equipment is suitable for continued use within the scheme.

Any specific warranty, servicing commitment or ongoing support provided with equipment will be confirmed separately at the time of supply.

7. Safety, Contamination & Previous Use

Donating organisations must disclose anything relevant about the previous use, condition or potential contamination of equipment.

Equipment must not knowingly present an undeclared biological, chemical, radioactive or other hazardous contamination risk.

Auckland Scientific Ltd may refuse equipment where there is uncertainty about its safety or previous use.

8. Computers, Data & Storage Devices

Where donated equipment includes a computer, hard drive, memory card or other data-storage device, the donating organisation remains responsible for removing confidential, personal or commercially sensitive information before handover.

Auckland Scientific Ltd accepts no responsibility for information left on donated equipment or storage devices.

9. Collection & Delivery

Collection and delivery arrangements will be agreed individually depending on the size, quantity, value and location of the equipment.

Auckland Scientific Ltd is not automatically responsible for collection or delivery costs unless this has been agreed in advance.

11. Photographs, Video & Case Studies

Auckland Scientific Ltd may invite participating organisations to take part in photographs, equipment handovers, testimonials or case studies.

Agreement to photographs, video or a case study is separate from the basic organisational publicity agreement.

Schools and colleges can participate in the scheme without identifiable pupils or students appearing in Auckland Scientific Ltd promotional material.

Where identifiable pupils, students or staff appear in photographs or video, appropriate permissions or another applicable lawful basis must be in place. Schools and colleges remain responsible for confirming that any necessary permissions relating to their pupils or students have been obtained before images are supplied to or taken for Auckland Scientific Ltd publicity.

12. Personal Information & Privacy

Information submitted through the scheme will be used to administer applications, assess equipment donations, communicate with participating organisations, arrange collection or delivery and maintain appropriate scheme records.

Contact details provided for the scheme will not automatically be used for unrelated marketing.

Any option to receive Auckland Scientific Ltd marketing communications is separate and optional.

Personal information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy .

13. Availability & Allocation

Auckland Scientific Ltd cannot guarantee when equipment will become available, what models will be available, or that every registered school or college will receive equipment.

Allocation decisions will be made according to equipment availability, suitability and the objectives of the scheme.

14. Changes to the Scheme

Auckland Scientific Ltd may amend, pause or withdraw the Second Life Microscopes Scheme where necessary.

This policy may also be updated periodically to reflect changes in how the scheme operates.