PMSEIC Meeting

The Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC) met on June 2, chaired by the Prime Minister, John Howard.

The Secretary of the Department of the Environment and Heritage, David Borthwick outlined follow-up activities from the Biodiscovery and Tsunamis reports presented at the December 2005 PMSEIC meeting, and the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, spoke about follow-up to the report on The Role of Creativity in the Innovation Economy.

Three early career researchers made presentations to the Council on their experiences and thoughts about establishing a career in science. Issues raised included insufficient fellowships, instability of 2-3 year contractual positions, difficulties in taking maternity leave, the difficulties in managing both teaching and research commitments, poor mobility of PhD students in Australia, difficulty with international interaction, and insufficient grants for post-doctoral study.

The Council also heard a presentation of the report of a PMSEIC working group on the opportunities for Australia arising from Asia's scientific and economic growth (see next item).

More information about the PMSEIC meeting is at here

Back to Headlines>>

PMSEIC working group calls for response to growth of China and India

A report by the PMSEIC working group on Asia’s Scientific and Economic Growth - Opportunities for Australia has warned that " without a more systematic and strategic approach, Australian science and innovation capabilities will be washed over by the tidal wave of progress being experienced in China and India, and by the resulting global response".

The working group, chaired by Hutch Ranck, Managing Director of DuPont Australia, called for a three-pronged strategy to improve Australia's prospects:

• Capture the opportunities emerging for Australian science and innovation;
• Enhance our science and technology linkages with China and India;
• Strengthen our science and innovation foundations for competitiveness.

The report concluded that Australia should respond to the rapid development of China and India by moving "quickly to strengthen our economy and build technology-based export oriented manufacturing and services".

The report identified opportunities for Australian researchers and industry, particularly in four priority areas - energy, water, agriculture and health - as well as the emerging areas of interest in biotechnology, medical devices, engineering design and animal health.

However, it warned that Australia faced the challenge of capturing these opportunities given that Australian industry is dominated by small to medium sized enterprises, with relatively low R&D intensities.

The report's three major recommendations were:

• Australia needs to capture the opportunities created by the emergence of China and India by encouraging business engagement in our four priority areas, stimulating business investment in R&D, and simplifying private company access to publicly funded intellectual property.
• Australia needs to enhance the linkages with China and India by developing a whole-of-government strategy for engagement and by investing in collaborative knowledge infrastructure.
• Strengthen the foundations of Australia’s education system by increasing the investment in higher education, attracting higher quality Australian students into science and engineering, strengthening the science and maths teaching and curricula in Australian schools, and attracting higher quality doctoral students from China and India.

The report, Strengthening Australia's Position in the New World Order, can be accessed here

Back to Headlines>>

New council for pharmaceuticals industry

A new Pharmaceuticals Industry Council (PIC) has been established to take forward the work of the Pharmaceuticals Industry Action Agenda, which was launched in 2002. The Action Agenda's vision is to double Australia's share of the global pharmaceuticals industry by 2012.

Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said that the new body will provide high-level coordination and a strategic focus for the industry by bringing together the innovative, generic and biotechnology sectors.

Implementation of the Action Agenda concluded in late 2005. The PIC will continue to take forward much of the work commenced under the Action Agenda, such as streamlining ethics approval processes for multi-centre clinical trials and the work of the Pharmaceuticals Education Council.

The Government be represented on the PIC and Council taskforces and will continue to receive advice and input from industry through the representation of the PIC on the Pharmaceutical Industry Working Group.

Back to Headlines>>

New innovation award for Tasmania

The Tasmanian Government has created a new award, the C-STAR (Commercialising Science Technology and Research) Award, which aims to encourage Tasmanian innovators to think about selling their products.

The C-STAR Award is open to Tasmanian science and technology companies or individuals who have developed products, processes or services that have commercial potential.

The award was developed in conjunction with the Science and Technology Council and the winner will receive a trophy and $5000 cash.

Nominations for the C-STAR Award close Friday 14 July. The award will be presented on Friday 25 August 2006.

Back to Headlines>>

Australia's first foreign university opens in Adelaide

The Adelaide campus of Carnegie Mellon University – the first foreign university to set up in Australia - has been officially opened.

The Pittsburgh-based university has opened two schools in Adelaide – The H John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management and the Entertainment Technology Centre.

At the launch, Premier Mike Rann said it was part of his government's vision to establish Adelaide as a University City of the future, and would help with state's Strategic Plan target to double South Australia’s share of overseas students.

“In fact, the first enrolments include 71 local and international postgraduate students from the United States, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Africa. Next year enrolments will increase substantially and already there is strong demand for places.

The Heinz School Australia in Victoria Square is delivering its Master of Science and Information Technology and its Master of Science in Public Policy and Management

The Entertainment Technology Centre, located on Currie Street in the West End of the city, is delivering its Master of Entertainment Technology, a high-tech digital media degree whose graduates work for companies such as Disney and Pixar.

In addition, the SA government has committed up to $3 million dollars to attract Carnegie Mellon’s Software Engineering Institute, with the aim of making Adelaide the defence software engineering hub of the Asia Pacific region, and targeting contracts such as the $6 billion Air Warfare Destroyer project.

The SA Government also recently signed a Heads of Agreement with the UK Cranfield University – a defence engineering institution - to look at the prospect of its operating in Adelaide. Cranfield University is co-located with the Defence Academy’s Royal Military College of Science west of London, and specialises in radar, systems engineering, electro-optic and weapons effects.

Mr Rann said Cranfield University is interested in delivering its own British post-graduate degrees in Adelaide and forming strategic teaching and research partnerships with other universities in Adelaide, including Carnegie Mellon and the University of South Australia.

Back to Headlines>>

New Centre of Expertise in Photonics

A Centre of Expertise in Photonics has been opened at the University of Adelaide to develop technology that underpins radar, electronic warfare and global positioning systems.

The South Australian Government has contributed $470,000 to the Centre of which $250,000 was awarded through the Premier’s Science and Research Fund. Financial support from the Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation includes $400,000 for initial infrastructure establishment and ongoing funding of $400,000 per annum over 5 years.

The Director of the Centre, Professor Tanya Monro, said the centre was the first in Australia to focus on soft glass micro-structured fibre fabrication enabling Adelaide to be an international leader in this area.

“Soft glass micro-structured fibres transport and generate light in the mid-infrared spectrum, and this has important applications for aircraft. Micro-structured optical fibre also has potential in high sensitivity detection of biological and chemical agents. Photonics is fundamental to many modern defence capabilities including communications, radar signal processing, electronic warfare systems and sensing,” Professor Monro said.

Back to Headlines>>

Funding for Queensland Water Research Facility

The Queensland Government has awarded $10 million through its Innovation Building Fund for the construction of the Smart Water Research Facility at Griffith University's Gold Coast campus.

The Smart Water Research Facility will bring together experts from research institutions, water supply authorities and water technology companies to develop innovation solutions to sustainable water supplies, safe drinking water, better water management and policy issues.

Griffith University is partnering with the Gold Coast and Toowoomba city councils, Wide Bay Water, University of Queensland, University of the Sunshine Coast, Central Queensland University, NIWA Australia, National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology, International Water Centre, AquaDiagnostic, and EcoNova for the project, which is estimated to cost a total of $66 million.

The State government funding will be used to construct a new building and acquire specialised equipment.

The new facility will include labs, distillation rooms, a social science resource centre and outdoor facilities such as wastewater and recycled water pipes and constructed wetlands. It will also house the Gold Coast City Council's scientific services laboratory.

The Innovation Building Fund is part of the Queensland Government’s recently announced $200 million Smart State Innovation Funding Program.

Back to Headlines>>

Molecular Plant Breeding CRC signs deal with BASF Plant Science

The Molecular Plant Breeding Cooperative Research Centre has signed a $28 million agreement with BASF Plant Science to expand an existing research and development program to develop high-yielding wheat varieties that are more resistant to drought and fungal diseases.

As part of the joint research program, BASF Plant Science is making available its comprehensive collection of candidate genes for yield increase, drought tolerance and resistance to fungal diseases. MPBCRC will provide expertise and a patented technique for developing highly effective genetic modifications of wheat under typical agricultural conditions.

The program has been scheduled for seven years and involves 25 scientists based at MPBCRC.

Back to Headlines>>

General Sir John Monash Awards

Make a Difference! BE ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE LEADERS

General Sir John Monash Awards
• Up to $150,000 over three years
• Postgraduate study commencing 2007
• Applications close 31 August 2006
More information www.monashawards.org

Award Supporters: Federal Government (DEST), Boeing Corporation, Commonwealth Bank Ltd, General Peter Cosgrove AC MC (Retd) Macquarie Bank, the Pratt Foundation, Tenix, the Westfield Foundation and WorleyParsons Ltd.

“Global challenges demand investment in the knowledge society. We seek further competitive advantage by investing in outstanding leaders for Australia’s knowledge society. We offer to Australia’s future leaders the General Sir John Monash Awards for international postgraduate study in any field, at the world’s best universities.”
General Peter Cosgrove AC MC (Retd)
Chairman



Leaders making a difference to Australia’s Future

www.monashawards.org

Back to Headlines>>

Expressions of interest for appointment

The Advisory Council on Intellectual Property (ACIP) is an independent  body appointed by the Government. The Council advises the Federal Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources on high level policy matters relating to patents, trade marks, industrial designs and plant breeder’s rights, and the strategic administration of IP Australia. ACIP Membership reflects a cross section of interests involved with the intellectual property (IP) system, and usually includes individuals from both large and small businesses, the legal and attorney professions and academia.

A large part of the Council’s work involves conducting reviews into various aspects of the IP system, and making recommendations to the Government to ensure Australia’s IP system benefi ts all Australians. Further information on the Council’s activities is available at www.acip.gov.au

Expressions of interest are invited from persons who wish to be considered to serve on ACIP. The Government is seeking individuals with appropriate knowledge and experience in IP matters, including obtaining, managing, exploiting and protecting IP rights. The Government is particularly interested in hearing from owners and users of IP rights  within the small, medium and large business sectors, and from public or private research bodies.

Appointments are usually for three years. The Council meets three times per year, and may form working groups for particular tasks, which meet as required. Members receive a daily sitting allowance and reimbursement for travel, accommodation and related expenses.

Expressions of interest should include relevant biographical details and a statement to indicate your experience, expertise and interest in the field of IP.

Expressions close on Wednesday 12 July 2006, and should be sent to:

The Secretary
Advisory Council on Intellectual Property
PO Box 200
WODEN ACT 2606

or to kay.collins@ipaustralia.gov.au

Additional information may be obtained from Kay Collins (02) 6283 2402.

Back to Headlines>>

Position Vacant: Research Officer (Postdoctoral Fellow)

The Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute has an established record of national and international research leadership in the neurosciences. Over 110 scientists, clinicians, students and allied staff support its mission to advance the knowledge, treatment and cure of neuroscience related disorders through excellence in research.

Paxinos and Watson have produced a series of mammalian brain atlases that have become international standards. One of these atlases is ranked in the 50 most cited publications of all time. The Institute is offering an outstanding doctoral graduate a chance to establish an international reputation under the supervision of Professor Paxinos, in collaboration with Prof Watson. Current projects include atlases of the mouse, rat and human spinal cord, mapping rhombomeres in mammals using gene expression, atlas of the developing mouse brain, and atlas of the human cerebral cortex.

This position will provide opportunities to master the fine detail of brain anatomy, learn the techniques of brain mapping, apply molecular marker and gene expression techniques in mapping the brain, and carry out experimental neuroscience projects.

The successful applicant will have demonstrated outstanding capacity for neuroscience research, including ability to complete and publish major projects.

Enquiries to: Prof George Paxinos +61-2-93991094 or g.paxinos@unsw.edu.au
Please forward your application to Lee Hilton l.hilton@unsw.edu.au. Fax: +61-2-93991026.
Mail: PO Box 82 St Pauls NSW 2031. Closing: 30th June, 2006.

www.powmri.edu.au

Back to Headlines>>

Commercialisation Expo 2006 – Today’s Knowledge is Tomorrow’s Innovation

ACT NOW - Final call for registrations! Click here to register – one week to go. Visitor passes to the Exhibition are available at the door.

The event will be held from the 18th-20th June 2006 at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. Over 200 new technologies will be showcased, along with leading speakers from Australia and around the world.

Commercialisation Expo 2006 connects research organisations with industry to exchange ideas to create tomorrow’s future commercial successes. The expo will build on the 2003 inaugural event where the exhibited technologies attracted over $40 million of investment and led to numerous contract R&D and service agreements.

Commercialisation Expo 2006 boasts the following activities:

• Commercialisation Conference: The conference aims to identify and assess the challenges facing research organisations and business when they connect and commercialise. A diverse array of speakers from around the world will draw on both local and global knowledge and provide assessment and forecasts for future commercialisation trends.
• Exhibition: A feature of the Expo is the general exhibition booths that will showcase your technology to your peers and potential partners.
• Poster Displays: Over 200 posters have been submitted that showcase the best innovation and technology Australia has to offer. Posters will also be featured in the Big Book of Ideas and these posters are the entry gateway for the Peter Doherty Prize for Innovation.
• Peter Doherty Prize for Innovation: The most outstanding eligible opportunity will be awarded the Peter Doherty Prize which is valued at $100,000 of cash and in-kind services.

Contact The Meeting Planners expo2006@meetingplanners.com.au or 03 9417 0888 or more information and bookings can be made on line now at www.expo2006.com.au.

Back to Headlines>>

Developing a cutting-edge product, process or service?

AusIndustry is hosting a FREE seminar at the Commercialisation Expo


Date - Tuesday 20th June 2006
Time - 1.00pm - 2.30pm
Venue - Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre, 2 Clarendon St, Southbank

Please click here to register online for the seminar or call the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46.

AusIndustry is the Australian Government's business program delivery division in the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources and delivers a range of more than 30 business products. These include innovation grants, tax and duty concessions, small business services, and support for industry competitiveness worth nearly $2 billion each year to about 10,000 small and large businesses.

AusIndustry’s innovation grants program Commercial Ready offers project funding from $50,000 to $5 million for eligible projects of up to three years in duration. Companies can apply for funding for any or all aspects of development of a new product, process or service including research and development, proof-of-concept and early-stage commercial isation.

Another AusIndustry program, Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET) is a competitive grant program supporting early stage growth companies, spin-off companies and individuals to commercialise innovations. COMET provides access to private sector business advisers and tailored services to help improve management ability and attract capital and partners. COMET offers grants to successful applicants in the range of $5,000 to $120,000 over two years. COMET applicants generally have to demonstrate they have a working prototype to be eligible for assistance.

Visit here or call the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46 for more information about AusIndustry, to subscribe to the AusIndustry e-bulletin or to receive 'email updates' about specific AusIndustry’s products.

Back to Headlines>>

Specialist Certificate in Physiotherapy (Exercise for Women)

The School of Enterprise in partnership with the School of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne are pleased to announce the Specialist Certificate in Physiotherapy (Exercise for Women).

Who is this course for?

In addition to qualified physiotherapists, components of the Exercise for Women subject are also suitable for allied health professionals, exercise physiologists, physical education teachers and accredited fitness instructors. Attendance is possible on a short course basis, in topics relating to specific areas of interest.

Components of the Applied Physiology subject are also suitable for allied health professionals on a short course basis.

What will I get out of this course?

The course provides the opportunity to develop specific skills in the planning and delivery of exercise programs for specific women’s groups, understand the impact of exercise on the altered physiology, pathophysiology and psychology of the female population and to become familiar with the legal and safety issues associated with leading exercise classes for women with specific physical needs.

Numbers are limited, so be quick!

VENUE
The University of Melbourne Hawthorn Campus,
442 Auburn Road, Hawthorn, VIC 3122.

COST
The costs to attend this program are as follows:

Award Course Students
• $5,200 for both subjects leading to the Specialist Certificate in Physiotherapy (Exercise for Women).

Short Course Students
• Applied Physiology - $2,600 +GST for all three parts or $950 +GST for each two day part.
• Exercise for Women - $2,600 +GST for all 5 days or $570 + GST for each day.

The costs include delivery by fully qualified presenters, course materials and morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea for each day of the course attended.

NEED TO KNOW MORE?
Click here for more information.

Express your interest in this course by contacting Elise Strande on (03) 9810 3136 or email e.strande@soe.unimelb.edu.au

Back to Headlines>>

Are you a professional involved in running Biomedical Research Projects?

The School of Enterprise, University of Melbourne, is pleased to announce our Specialist Certificate in Biomedical Research Management.

Numbers are limited, so be quick!

With the longer term of creating clinical outcomes for projects in human and animal health, including medical devices and dentistry, this course has been designed for professionals who are involved with running biomedical research projects, those seeking a more senior project management role on such projects and research managers who would like to transfer their project management skills to biomedical projects. This may include staff working in CCRE’s, research organisations, universities, start-up companies, as well as research fellows and postgraduate students.

Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Neuroscience)

The 25 points Specialist certificate is a Masters level award and is achieved by completion of the two four day subjects, Methodology and Disease Applications Part 1 & 2, with associated assessment. It provides full credit into the Masters program in Clinical Research.

Cost: $1975 + GST (Short Course)
$1975 (award course)

When: July 24th, 25th, 27th & 28th & August 28th, 29th, 30th & Sept 1st

Where: The University of Melbourne, University House, Parkville

NEED TO KNOW MORE? Check out more information here

Express your interest in this course or related courses by contacting;
Brad Atkins on (03) 9810 3185 or email b.atkins@soe.unimelb.edu.au

Back to Headlines>>

ISI Web of Knowledge(SM): Getting the right answers, quicker

ISI Web of Knowledge is a single, integrated research environment that helps you easily search a broad variety of evaluated, high quality content in the sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities. In one search – through one interface -- you can access data from journals, conference proceedings, patents, books, and Web sites. And tools such as CrossSearch(SM), cited reference searching, and the Analyze Tool help you search, sort, and analyze the data the way that works best for you.

If you research –You’ll be able to easily explore multidisciplinary information and follow links to additional data; gaining speed with no compromise in the quality or accuracy of results.

If you publish – You’ll easily find high impact articles upon which to base your articles – increasing the quality and credibility of your published work, resulting in more publication in more prestigious sources.

If you teach – Your students will be assured of using the highest quality resources – finding valuable information in sources they may not have the knowledge and experience to seek on their own. They can begin with basic methods of searching, and move on to more precise methods as their experience grows.

For more information see website here, or contact Thomson Scientific directly via email or +61 2 8587 7948 or 1 800 007 214 (from Australia)

Back to Headlines>>

Looking to advertise a new R&D position, scholarship or call?

ResearchJobs is an email and website based service that lists advertisements for vacant research related positions, scholarships, fellowships, and calls for proposals within the research and development, scientific and acedemic industries.

See here

It is distributed straight to the desk top of over 11,000 researchers and management professionals within universities, CSIRO, research agencies and institutes, government departments and the private sector.

ResearchJobs:

• weekly electronic advertising medium for R&D and scientific positions vacant and scholarships
• email document that is sent to over 11,000 subscribers
• website that has been averaging over 1000 visits per day for April 2006
• ad length 200 words, $1 plus GST extra for ads over 200 words
• cost for both website and email document is $180 plus GST per ad for one week, $300 plus GST for two weeks, $400 plus GST for three weeks.

For further information see here, email scott@halledit.com.au or call Scott McKinnon on 03 8534 5000

Back to Headlines>>

Spruson&Ferguson: patent and trade mark attorneys

With over 115 years experience, Spruson&Ferguson is a leading intellectual property firm in Australia which provides a fully integrated service for the protection, commercialisation and enforcement of your intellectual property.

Spruson&Ferguson is one of the largest intellectual property firms in Australia, with a team of over 220. Our 60 plus patent and trade mark attorneys and lawyers work in specialised practice areas; Chemical/Life Sciences, Mechanical, Electrical/Information & Communications Technologies (ICT) and Trade Marks, together with Spruson&Ferguson Lawyers which provides intellectual property commercialisation, enforcement and dispute resolution services.

Spruson&Ferguson’s patent and trade mark attorneys and lawyers have extensive intellectual property and industry experience in science and engineering including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electronics, phototonics, transport, telecommunications, mining, publishing, consumer products, ceramics, chemistry and mechanical/medical technologies.

The depth of our industry experience is an attribute that many of our clients hold in high regard. Spruson&Ferguson is a recognised as a market leader with multinationals and many of Australia’s foremost research institutions entrusting to us to protect and assisting with the maximisation of returns on their intellectual property assets.

Our comprehensive range of services includes patents, trademarks, designs, domain names, IP audits, due diligence, dispute resolution and litigation and intellectual property commercialisation services including licensing, joint ventures and research and development collaborations.

For more information about our comprehensive range of intellectual property services, please contact one of the following relationship principals:

Chemical: Dr John McCann BSc (Hons) PhD FIPTA
Life Sciences: Dr Andrew Blattman BScAgr (Hons) PhD GDipIP FIPTA
Electrical: Robert Miller BE BLegS FIPTA
ICT: Scott Berggren BSEE MSEE LLB FIPTA
Mechanical: Greg Turner BE FIPTA
Trade Marks: Annette Freeman BA LLB (ANU) LLM (UTS)
IP Commercialisation: Rob McInnes BSc (Hons) LLB (Syd)
IP Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Simon Williams BA LLB (Syd) LLM (Lond)
Managing Principal: David Griffith BE (Hons) FIPTA

Telephone: (02) 9207 0777
Fax: (02) 9261 5486
Email mail@sprusons.com.au

www.sprusons.com.au

Back to Headlines>>