Minister announces new assault on science teaching

The Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop, has announced a range of initiatives to improve school science teaching and retention of students in science and mathematics at secondary and tertiary levels.

Speaking recently at the launch of National Science Week, Ms Bishop said that a 2004 survey of Senior High Schools in Victoria showed that three-quarters of those studying physics were boys, and nearly twice as many boys as girls studied maths although girls out performed boys in results particularly at the upper end of the achievement scale. She that she will convene a symposium of leading Australian female scientists to consider ways of encouraging young women to study science, maths and technology.

In her address, Ms Bishop said that too little science was taught in primary schools, with less than an hour a week on average devoted to science learning. Further, she said, the drop off rates among junior secondary students choosing science needs to be addressed.

Ms Bishop said that she had initiated the development of an Australian Schools Science Education Framework to map key school science initiatives across Australia in order to identify the gaps and recommend actions to improve science education.

She said that as part of an effort to promote higher standards the Commonwealth would require State and Territory governments to implement Statements of Learning in a number of core subjects including science and maths with common testing standards in these subject areas.

"The Statements being developed in conjunction with the States and Territories describe the key knowledge, the skills, the understandings and capacities that all students should acquire in science, maths and the other subject areas. Irrespective of where they attend a school. Irrespective of the State in which they live. This will promote consistency in the quality and delivery of science education in all Australian schools and this is a major policy objective of the Government," Ms Bishop said.

Ms Bishop has also commissioned the Australian Academy of Science in collaboration with CSIRO and the Department of Education, Science and Training to undertake a scoping project to investigate ways of improving the teaching and learning of science in junior secondary schools. The project, called Science by Doing, will examine research from around the world and consult with the Australian Science Teachers Association, Deans of Education, State and Territory Education Authorities and other stakeholders to see how junior secondary students can be engaged more actively in science through problem solving and enquiry based classroom activity.

She has also engaged the Australian Council for Educational Research to conduct a major Australian survey of school teachers and school leaders during October and November of this year to help assess the nature of anticipated turnovers and shortages in the profession.

The Minister announced a number of new and refunded initiatives:

• an additional $3 million will be provided to further develop Primary Connections, an initiative linking science with literacy developed for primary schools by the Australian Academy of Science and the Department of Education, Science and Training with initial funding of $5 million. She said that she hoped that within two or three years the majority, if not all of Australia's primary schools, will be using this initiative.
• an additional $7 million for a third round of the Australian School Innovation and Science Technology and Maths Project. This provides funding for schools, clusters and their partners including tertiary education institutions and science and industry organisations to develop innovative approaches and to improve the teaching and learning of science, technology and mathematics in Australian schools.
• The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) will offer two new researcher fellowship positions worth up to $250,000 per annum . The Fellowships are intended to attract top international researchers from across the country and from overseas, to coincide with the commissioning of its new OPAL Medical Research Reactor and the neutron beam instruments (for more details see item 10).
• seven new research clusters under the $97 Million CSIRO Flagship Collaboration Fund (for more information see item 2).

The transcript of Ms Bishop's speech is here

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Flagship Research Clusters launched

CSIRO is launching a series of seven research clusters formed under the 97 Million dollar CSIRO Flagship Collaboration Fund.

The Flagship Collaboration Fund program is designed to enhance collaboration between CSIRO, Australian universities and other publicly funded research agencies.

The two research clusters so far launched are:

• The Australian Partnership in Light Metals Research brings together three centres for light metals research and development – the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Design in Light Metals based at Melbourne’s Monash University; the Brisbane-based CAST Cooperative Research Centre (CRC); and the CSIRO Light Metals Flagship. The Partnership will focus on strategic niches in the global market, such as the growing demand for lightweight vehicle components to reduce fuel consumption. Through the CAST CRC, the partnership will develop an innovative approach to designing and making cost-effective, lightweight aluminium and magnesium components for suspension and transmission systems, brake assemblies and wheels. The partnership with the ARC Centre of Excellence will focus on accelerate new technologies for producing titanium and its alloys.
The Fund will provide $2.1 million over three years to the light metals partnership, with CAST and the ARC Centre of Excellence making equivalent co-contributions.
More information about the cluster is here
• The Olfactory pattern recognition research cluster involves the Australian National University (ANU) and Monash University with the Food Futures Flagship in a large-scale collection of research projects that aims to understand how simple animals make sense of smells. This information will feed into the Flagship’s project to create a new generation of electronic nose, a Cybernose. ANU and Monash University will match in-kind funds of A$2.2 million over two-and-a-half years through the Flagships Collaboration Fund. The combined expertise of the three teams will research how insects and tiny nematode worms — that is, organisms with simple nervous systems — process olfactory information and differentiate between related odours. The Cluster Leader is Professor Mandyam Srinivasan, an ANU Federation Fellow. Dr Coral Warr leads the Monash University team and Dr Stephen Trowell leads the Flagship team.
More information about the cluster is here

Other clusters to be launched shortly include:


• National Hydrogen Materials Alliance, Energy Transformed Flagship, led by Dr Andrew Dicks, University of Queensland;
• Concentration and separation of bioactives in food science, Food Futures Flagship, led by Professor Milton Hearn, Monash University and Dr Muthupandian Ashokkumar, University of Melbourne;
• Detecting and preventing Alzheimer’s disease, P-Health Flagship, led by Professor David Ames, University of Melbourne;
• CLAMMecology (Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth ecology), Water for a Healthy Country Flagship, led by Dr Mike Geddes, University of Adelaide;
• Human uses and impacts on Ningaloo reef, Wealth from Oceans Flagship, led by Professor Neil Loneragan, Murdoch University.

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ATSE calls for action on manufacturing innovation

The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) has warned in its submission to the House of Representatives inquiry into the manufacturing industry that innovation in manufacturing is a “survival issue” for Australia.

Academy CEO, Dr John Dodgson, said that manufacturing has had by far the slowest growth of any sector of the economy over the past 25 years and that the latest ABS data indicates that manufacturing experienced a 0.4 per cent decline in sales in 2004-05 – the worst result for 14 years.

"Australian R&D investment is about half the OECD average, due mainly to low business investment in R&D, made worse by the fact that Australian manufacturing is dominated by low-R&D-intensive food and metals industries.This contrasts sadly with indications that industries in the fastest-growing areas of world trade, with the highest productivity and employment benefits, are concentrated in the high-technology, innovative and knowledge-intensive sectors.

"We see innovation in manufacturing – and strong government policies and incentives to encourage manufacturing innovation and the necessary supporting R&D – as a real ’survival issue’ for this country," Dr Dodgson said.

“Intrinsically determined investment in Australian R&D is progressively falling further behind other OECD countries and significantly behind emerging economies, like China and India.

“The majority of Australian businesses do not commit significant expenditure on innovation and the bulk of innovation expenditure is highly concentrated in a small number of businesses, so the Academy urges the Government to boost support and incentives to encourage these established innovators to do more.”

It was important that government encouraged more collaboration between manufacturers and publicly funded research institutions (PFRIs), he said.

Australia would benefit from policies and programs that encouraged manufacturers to access research staff from – and cooperate with – universities and other PFRIs to address the R&D shortfall.

The ATSE submission is available at
http://www.atse.org.au/index.php?sectionid=844

Further information about the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration Inquiry into the state of Australia's manufactured export and import competing base now and beyond the resources boom is at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/efpa

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WA biotechnology strategy released

The Western Australian Premier, Alan Carpenter, has unveiled a strategy to accelerate the growth of the biotechnology industry in Western Australia.

The plan involves the creation of biotechnology industry clusters and technology parks, support for clinical trials and the development of biotherapeutics and agricultural biotechnology.

It advocates a code of conduct for the local biotechnology industry, programs to develop and maintain biotechnology skills in WA and a study into the economic potential of bio-prospecting.

Mr Carpenter said many of the new initiatives in the biotechnology strategy would be funded from an additional $72 million allocation to science and innovation in this year's State Budget. The business case for each initiative would be assessed and, where appropriate, funding would be allocated.

Science and Innovation Minister Francis Logan said a significant initiative of the strategy was an investigation into access to WA's health and related databases for biotechnology industry development.

"Thanks to the foresight of local doctors and administrators over three decades, WA has a database of health and lifestyle information that is the envy of the scientific world," Mr Logan said.

"We intend to highlight the existence of these databases as a drawcard for research and application in medical biotechnology, so that Perth can be the home for breakthroughs in diseases like cancer, diabetes, cerebral palsy and birth defects."

The Western Australian Biotechnology Industry Development Strategy is available http://www.doir.wa.gov.au/biotech

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Smart State Council reports released

The Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, has announced the release of three research reports by the Smart State Council that identify emerging issues and trends and their implications for Queensland's future development as a Smart State.

The reports are the first produced by the Smart State Council which was established in June last year to provide independent advice from the business and research community on Queensland's `Smart State' policy.

The reports are:

• Smart regions: characteristics of globally successful regions and implications for Queensland
This report looks at the drivers of globally successful regions around the world, focusing on Austin, North Carolina and San Diego (US); Cambridge (UK) Victoria (Australia); Finland; Israel; Singapore; Sweden and Taiwan. Through an analysis of the key characteristics that make these regions innovative, the report examines the implications for Queensland's future development as a Smart State.
• Business investment in research and development in Queensland - including access to capital
This report finds that building business expenditure on R&D (BERD) in Queensland's existing predominantly low/medium technology industries will require stronger industry/research collaboration and increased uptake of R&D managerial skills by Queensland firms.
• Opportunities in tropical science, knowledge, research and innovation for Queensland
This report examines Queensland's capabilities in tropical science in the areas of health, environment, primary industries, building design and education services to the tropical world and discusses the opportunities for Queensland in developing an integrated approach to marketing commercial expertise in those areas.

Mr Beattie said he had established a high-level Review Committee chaired by the Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Peter Andrews, and including Professor Paul Greenfield, Professor Russell Reichelt, Mr Andrew Craig and senior officers from the Premier's Department, Treasury and the Department of State Development, Trade and Innovation, to respond to the reports.

The reports are available here

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New Victorian program for brown coal R&D

The Victoria Minister for Innovation, John Brumby has announced a $12 million Brown Coal Research and Development Grants Program to develop new low-emission technologies associated with power generation.

Mr Brumby said he believed the new program could help Victoria to become an international hub for R&D on new energy technologies.

“Along with a major focus on the development of new low emission electricity generation technologies, there is increasing demand for new applications for brown coal outside electricity generation because of escalating oil prices,” he said.

The grants program is part of the Victorian Government’s $103.5 million Energy Technology Innovation Strategy (ETIS) which is coordinating Victoria’s research into energy technologies.

Mr Brumby said Victoria’s brown coal resources were attracting international attention for new applications using brown coal as well as low-emission technologies for power generation.

“While the focus on efficient low-emission power generation continues, high-volume, value-added applications, such as coal-to-liquids, gas-to-liquids, minerals processing and the export of quality brown coal products could also be of major interest.”

The Brown Coal Research and Development Grants Program calls for applications from large and small private companies, universities and research institutes. Organizations and individuals are also eligible to partner with an eligible organization to obtain funding from the program.

Applications for the grants close on 27 October with the successful applicants to be announced in January with the projects expected to start by April.

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Biotech cluster launched in Geelong

A new biotechnology cluster development, BioGeelong, has been launched in the Greater Geelong region to assist in growing the biotech industry in Geelong and to maximise the opportunities being generated by Geelong’s biotech research.

BioGeelong, chaired by Professor Andrew Parratt Director of BioDeakin, is an initiative of the Geelong Region Alliance (G21) and the City of Greater Geelong and has been established under a Memorandum of Understanding between Barwon Health, ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals, CSIRO – Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Deakin University, Gordon Institute of TAFE, Pathcare – Consulting Pathologists and the City of Greater Geelong.

A study conducted in 2004, commissioned by the City of Greater Geelong in partnership with the Victorian Government, confirmed the potential of Geelong to become a major biotech hub similar to those established outside major cities in Europe and the USA.

The Victorian Government has contributed $50,000 towards a feasibility study for a central laboratory facility as well as a biotechnology skills audit and networking events.

For more information about BioGeelong contact Darren Gray, Industry Development Officer, City of Greater Geelong email: dgray@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

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MAPP panel appointed for Tasmanian ICT grants

A panel has been appointed to recommend projects for funding under the new component of the Intelligent Island Program, the Market Access and Partnerships Program (MAPP).

MAPP is a competitive, merit-based grant program that will support Tasmanian ICT companies to develop and commercialise products and services for a global market.

Under the program, up to $18 million in grants is available over four grant rounds, two each in 2006 and 2007. The first round for Expressions of Interest closed on 21 June, 2006, attracting 89 expressions of interest.

Panel members are:

• Graeme Poulton, retired former Managing Director, NEC (Chair);
• Allen Aaron, Director, Technology Venture Partners;
• Sharon Don, General Manager, iBurst;
• John Dyson, Investment Principal, Starfish Ventures Pty Ltd;
• Dr Dagmar Egen, Regional General Manager (SA), KAZ Technology Services;
• Matthew Michalewicz, Chief Executive Officer, SolveIT Software; and
• Gary Twomey, Director, Innovation Management Consultants.

Eligible Tasmanian ICT companies can apply for grants of between $200, 000 and $2 million. A portion of the funding is also available for projects that will benefit the Tasmanian ICT industry as a whole.

The $40 million Intelligent Island program is funded by the Australian Government from the second part-sale of Telstra and is administered by the Tasmanian Department of Economic Development.

For more information about the program, contact the Department of Economic Development's Business Point on: 1800 440 026.

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2006 Premier's Science Awards - Western Australia

Nominations are now open for the 2006 Premier's Science Awards.
These awards recognise and reward outstanding scientists, science educators and science communicators in Western Australia. There is a wealth of talent in WA and the State Government is encouraging you to nominate leading and emerging scientists, educators and communicators for this year's awards.

The award categories for 2006 are:
- Premier’s Prize for Achievement in Science - $10,000
- Premier’s Prize for Early Career Achievement in Science - $5,000
- Premier’s Prize for Excellence in Science Education: Tertiary - $5,000
- Premier’s Prize for Excellence in Science Education: Secondary - $5,000
- Premier’s Prize for Excellence in Science Education: Primary - $5,000
- Premier’s Prize for Excellence in Science Communication - $5,000

Guidelines and nomination forms for the awards are available on the Science Network WA website www.sciencewa.net.au or by contacting Krystle McCormick at The Office of Science, Technology and Innovation on (08) 9222 0762 or email here. Nominations close 5:00pm, Friday 15 September 2006.

The awards dinner and presentation ceremony will take place on November 3, 2006 at Scitech Discovery Centre, West Perth. Premier Alan Carpenter and Minister for Energy, Science and Innovation, Francis Logan, will be in attendance in addition to keynote speaker, Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Jim Peacock.

The Premier's Science Awards are a joint project between The Office of Science, Technology and Innovation and Scitech with the support of the Western Australian Science Council.

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Awards and grants for research excellence - The Australian Academy of Science

The Academy is calling for nominations for:

• medals and prizes for early career and career researchers;
Closing date – 30 August

• research support for the conservation of endangered vertebrate species;
• support for overseas and local travel
Closing date – 30 September

The Academy is also calling for expressions of intent for:

• support for research conferences
Closing date – 30 September

Further information:

www.science.org.au/awards/research.htm
www.science.org.au/awards/index.htm

or ac@science.org.au or fax 02 6201 9494.

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Position Vacant: X-Ray Instrument Specialist (ANSTO)

Leading-Edge Organisation - Scientific Research Project
Salary in the Range of $57,414 - $64,460 (plus super)

You’re invited to be part of one of Australia’s foremost scientific research and development organisations, focused on delivering the benefits of nuclear science to the Australian community. The Bragg Institute is Australia’s leading Neutron Scattering and Synchrotron Radiation group and currently employs ~50 ANSTO staff and operates a substantial postdoctoral, graduate student and visitor program. Our facilities include eight new state-of-the-art neutron-scattering and two new in-house X-ray instruments as well as scientific laboratories that support our facilities.

We are seeking an X-ray Instrument Specialist to maintain and assist with the operation of X-ray equipment (specifically a Small Angle X-ray Scattering instrument and an X-ray Reflectometer) and ultimately to be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of X-ray laboratories, the calibration and operation of specific equipment and the provision of services and support to staff and external customers. Under the day-to-day supervision of the Instrument Scientist, the successful applicant will assist with the detailed planning of experiments, and the collection and storage of experimental data.

You will have a B.Sc. in chemistry, physics or a related area or equivalent professional experience, with knowledge of X-ray laboratory equipment and experimentation procedures. We also look for excellent interpersonal and communication skills, customer focus and demonstrated ability to work both independently and in teams.

Experience in radiation physics and safety, training of staff and customers, and computing/IT, including databases will be an advantage. The role will initially be a 3 year term with the possibility of extension. To be eligible for appointment, applicants will require a security assessment and must be an Australian citizen.

Selection criteria for this role can be found on our home page at www.ansto.gov.au. Please send your details to email here.Your application should address the selection criteria and include a C.V. and the names of at least three professional referees. Alternatively contact Ms Cherylie Thorn on +61 2 9717 9039.

More information on present and future X-ray and neutron scattering activities at ANSTO can be found on the Web at www.ansto.gov.au/ansto/bragg/index.html. Specific details of the X-ray
instruments and their present scientific programs can also be found on that site.

Applications close: 8 September 2006

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Position Vacant: Distinguished Researcher Fellowships (ANSTO)

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is Australia’s national nuclear R&D organisation and the centre of Australian nuclear expertise. Currently it is commissioning a new research reactor that is attracting strong interest from around the world. ANSTO is implementing a comprehensive strategy to strive for research excellence through the development of institutional research capability to capitalise on its superb facilities and high quality staff and to exploit the emerging opportunities that exist in nuclear science and technology.

To implement this strategy ANSTO has created a challenging new role of Distinguished Researcher to build and lead a research effort and increase the excellence of its research. ANSTO is seeking applications from outstanding, internationally experienced researchers to fill up to three Distinguished Researcher positions.

ANSTO envisions the successful applicants will play a leading role in increasing its research quality and reputation in identified areas of strategic importance:
• applications of neutron and X-ray scattering to biology, physics, chemistry,
materials science, engineering and earth science, in particular theory or
modelling related to neutron scattering experiments
• isotopic techniques for the better understanding of processes in the
environment, particularly those associated with water management and
climate change
• the application of radiopharmaceuticals for molecular imaging in neuroscience, oncology and cardiology
• the microstructure-property relationship in materials for application in advanced nuclear fuel cycles

Total remuneration will be commensurate with the research track record of the applicant but will be in the range AUD $200,000 to $250,000 per annum with a guaranteed minimum discretionary research funding budget of AUD $250,000 per annum. Substantially greater research funding is possible from the recurrent budget as the activity grows. Fellowships will be for five years with a possibility for renewal.

Applicants should have extensive scientific leadership and research experience and be committed to building ANSTO’s internationally competitive research capacity. Applications are particularly encouraged from international researchers although Australian citizenship is desirable.

ANSTO is located in the beautiful south of Sydney, near beaches and attractive to families. For more information about ANSTO see www.ansto.gov.au.

Further information on the fellowships and the method of application
can be obtained from George Collins, Chief of Research, email here 

Closing date for applications is 31 October 2006.

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Science is in the air with Interact 2006

 
An international conference about innovation, cutting edge chemistry and science technology will be held at Burswood Entertainment Complex next month (September 24-28).

Interact 2006 is a science industry event organised by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, Australasian Society for Ecotoxicology and the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand and co-sponsored by government and industry.

The event attracts internationally acclaimed scientists from disciplines including chemistry, biology, environmental science and hydrology. This year the theme will be ‘Air, Water and Earth’ and will cover everything from atmospheric chemistry to aquatic toxicology to forensic science.

Interact 2006 provides a unique forum for industry to share knowledge, research, network, create partnerships, address topical scientific issues and identify the latest trends in science and technology.

Western Australian Government Minister for Science and Innovation Francis Logan has said that participation in the event demonstrated the Government’s commitment to the advancement of science and innovation in Western Australia. Similarly the level of support from both industry and academia has been a valuable endorsement.

“Our support of the event will further develop the State’s profile on an international level as an emerging player in the scientific community,” Minister Logan said.

“The aim of the conference is to demystify science by promoting a culture of participation between industry and the scientific population.”

Keynote speakers at the event include Dr Jerry Neff, Battelle Memorial Institute, USA; Professor Yuri Zolotov from Lomonosov Moscow University in Russia; Professor Phillip Rainbow, The Natural History Museum, London and Joseph Tietge, Environmental Protection Agency, USA.

They will join other acclaimed scientists how will set a powerful framework to identify current trends and emerging issues in the scientific realm.

The conference also includes an industry and trade exhibition where companies and budding young scientists can market their innovative products or services to scientists and suppliers worldwide.

Interact 2006 will be held at from 24-28 September and is open to the general public, academia, businesses and budding innovators.

For more information about Interact 2006 go to: http://www.promaco.com.au/conference/2006/raci/  

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Maximising Shareholder Value the focus of upcoming conference

21-22 September, Rydges Hotel, Sydney.

An annual forum for executives responsible for delivering value to shareholders.

Leading practitioners will present on the drivers of shareholder value including the latest developments of capital management, capitals markets communications, corporate risk management and corporate governance aspects of executive remuneration.

Key speakers include:
David Pitman, The Boston Consulting Group;
Christine Hollyoak, Macquarie Bank;
Bob Officer, Founding Director of Acorn Capital;
Russell Brennan, GE Commercial Finance;
and Geof Stapledon, ISS Australia.

Points of focus include optimal balance sheet structure, efficient working capital management, accessing offshore markets, best practice governance of IT & EHS.

For further information and online registration visit http://www.capconnect.com.au or call (03) 8534 5011.

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Responsibilities and Ethics of Clinical Research!

Thinking of Further Education?

Enrol now for the October intake in to the Graduate Programs in Clinical Research.

Objectives:
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of the basic concepts in human ethics, including the principles of:
- Autonomy
- Justice
- Beneficence
- Malfeasance
• Understand the need for integrity in both research and researchers
• Understand the need to protect human rights in research
• Appreciate the requirement for informed consent
• Appreciate both sides of the risk-benefit tension
• Understand the impact of different cultural perspectives on ethical issues

Description:
• Structure of Informed Consent documents
• Meaning of “Informed” in the context of blinding and randomisation to allocated treatments.
• Basic human rights in experimental settings
• The human being as an experimental subject and unit of analysis
• Data monitoring and safety committees
• Exercises in complex ethical situations
• Ethics committees – structure; membership; terms of reference
• Assessment of ethics applications (mock exercise)
• Cultural differences in ethical viewpoints
• Ethics under adverse conditions or under duress
• Ethical responses to unlawful collection of data or specimens
• Ethical issues of individual or volunteered experiments on the dying

Cost: $1975
When: November 10th, 11th and December 8th, 9th
Where: The University of Melbourne
Level 3, 442 Auburn Road
Hawthorn, Victoria Australia 3122

www.soe.unimelb.edu.au/clinicalresearch  

Express your interest in this course or related courses by contacting;
Brad Atkins on (03) 9810 3185 or email here 

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Effective Collaborative Research Skills

ARE YOU INVOLVED IN RESEARCH?

The School of Enterprise, University of Melbourne are pleased to announce the upcoming 1 day short course on Effective Collaborative Research Skills.

Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone who undertakes research. This includes researchers, research project managers, research project administrators, new business and commercialisation managers, working for publicly or privately funded CRC’s, CCRE’s, research institutes, universities, hospitals, new technology start-ups and spin-out companies, biotech companies and technology incubators.

What will I get out of this course?
In a climate where excellence in research is promoted, effective collaboration has become essential in order to achieve world class research outcomes. Individuals, teams and organisations need well developed collaboration skills to successfully leverage their resources and expertise to achieve excellence in a highly competitive global research environment. This one day workshop will give you the skills to:
• Assess the benefits, costs and risks of collaboration
• Know why and when collaboration is needed
• Understand which collaboration approaches work best with different types of stakeholders
• Use the 3 principles of successful research collaboration to improve the efficiency of collaborative decision making
• Diagnose whether your potential collaborative partner meets the requirements of the 5 commitments of strong collaborative research partnerships
• Move from transactional single issue negotiations to collaborative relationship building approaches that have mutual benefits
• Neutralise the hard-ball tactics that have the potential to destroy collaborative research partnerships
• Identify strategies that will enhance the collaborative maturity of your organisation

Numbers are limited, so be quick!

Cost: $540 + GST
When: Wednesday, 13th September, 2006
Where: The University of Melbourne,
Hawthorn Campus
442 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn

NEED TO KNOW MORE?
Click here for more information.

Express your interest in this course or related courses by contacting;
Elise Strande on (03) 9810 3136 or email here

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Working Effectively with Research Project Teams

ARE YOU INVOLVED IN RESEARCH?

The School of Enterprise, University of Melbourne are pleased to announce the upcoming1 day short course on Working Effectively with Research Project Teams.

Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone who undertakes research. This includes researchers, research project managers, research project administrators, new business and commercialisation managers, working for publicly or privately funded CRC’s, CCRE’s, research institutes, universities, hospitals, new technology start-ups and spin-out companies, biotech companies and technology incubators.

What will I get out of this course?
The best research often emerges out of the creative interaction of talented team members. This interaction at times can be stressful and sometimes unproductive. This one-day workshop has been designed to introduce participants to a range of tools and techniques to help them understand:
• The strengths and weaknesses of different work preferences and styles
• How to work to their own work-style strengths and those of others
• How to develop effective communication strategies for research projects
• How to deal with creative tension and manage conflict
• How to develop high performance teams of knowledge workers
• How to manage dysfunctional work climates and team members

Numbers are limited, so be quick!

Cost: $540 + GST
When: Tuesday, 12th September, 2006
Where: The University of Melbourne,
Hawthorn Campus
442 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn

NEED TO KNOW MORE?
Click here for more information.

Express your interest in this course or related courses by contacting;
Elise Strande on (03) 9810 3136 or email here

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Defining Research Projects and Deliverables.

ARE YOU INVOLVED IN RESEARCH?

The School of Enterprise, University of Melbourne are pleased to announce the upcoming 1 day short course on Defining Research Projects and Deliverables.

Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone who undertakes research. This includes researchers, research project managers, research project administrators, new business and commercialisation managers, working for publicly or privately funded CRC’s, CCRE’s, research institutes, universities, hospitals, new technology start-ups and spin-out companies, biotech companies and technology incubators.

What will I get out of this course?
Traditional project management approaches often don’t work for many research projects. By their nature, research projects involve novel tasks with uncertain resource requirements. This one-day workshop has been designed to introduce participants to a range of tools and techniques to help them understand:
• The differences between research project management and traditional project management
• How project management relates to other disciplines
• The unique body of project management knowledge, project maturity and project gate models
• Project scope and how to determine what is in and out of scope
• Common approaches to developing work breakdown structures
• Key issues in defining research project scheduling
• How to manage resources and develop a responsibility matrix
• How to manage research project scheduling and project tradeoffs

Numbers are limited, so be quick!

Cost: $540 + GST
When: Monday, 11th September, 2006
Where: The University of Melbourne,
Hawthorn Campus
442 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn

NEED TO KNOW MORE?
Click here for more information.

Express your interest in this course or related courses by contacting;
Elise Strande on (03) 9810 3136 or email here

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Are you a health care professional involved in IMMUNISATION?

The School of Enterprise, University of Melbourne, is pleased to announce that we will be holding a 4 day short course on Clinical Immunisation Research on September 8th, 9th and October 13th, 14th

NUMBERS ARE LIMITED, so be quick!

This course has been designed to equip healthcare professionals involved in immunisation with a practical understanding of how different research designs best answer clinical research questions in immunisation. The curriculum is designed for practising nursing, medical and related professions with an interest in child and adult immunisation.

Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Immunisation and Infectious Diseases)
The 25 points specialist certificate is a Masters level award and is achieved by completion of the two four day subjects, Clinical Immunisation Research and Infectious Diseases, with associated assessment. It provides full credit into the Masters program in Clinical Research.

NEED TO KNOW MORE? CHECK OUT INFORMATION AT: http://www.soe.unimelb.edu.au/iid


Cost: $1975 + GST

When: September 8th 9th and October 13th, 14th

Where: The University of Melbourne
Level 3, 442 Auburn Road
Hawthorn, Victoria Australia 3122

Express your interest in this course and related courses by contacting:

Brad Atkins on (03) 9810 3185 or email here

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Writing Clear Science Workshops (NT, VIC, QLD & NSW)

www.writingclearscience.com.au

Writing Clear Science teaches writing and research skills to science students and science professionals.

Writing Clear Science workshops include short lectures, followed by one-hour interactive writing exercises. These workshops help you overcome your writing obstacles, improve your writing productivity and enhance your research skills. We teach the skills necessary to produce high quality science projects, reports, articles and theses.

Three-day workshops are now open for bookings# in NT, VIC, QLD & NSW. Enrolments are available for Day 1 only; Day 1-2 only, or for Day 1-3.

Day 1: The Nuts & Bolts of Writing
Day 2: Writing Reports & Manuscripts
Day 3: Writing Your Thesis

Please note:
- Day 1 includes unique aspects of the course that are repeated throughout Day 2 and Day 3.
- # We also offer in-house, 1-3 day tailored workshops.

Calendar:
Darwin: Thurs 7th – Sat 9th September 2006
Melbourne: Tues 26th - Thurs 28th September 2006
Townsville: Wed 18th - Fri 20th October 2006
Sydney: Tues 30th January – Fri 1st February 2007

Course Outlines

Day 1: The Nuts & Bolts of Writing
• Lectures: Developing a Writing Framework; Writing Style: Tone, Word & Sentence Punctuation; Sentence and Paragraph Structure.
• Writing Exercises: Summarising Skills; Title, Sentence and Paragraph Construction; Writing Style; Assessment of Writing Examples.

Day 2: Writing Reports & Manuscripts
• Lectures: Structuring Your Report; Essential Research Skills; Publishing Your Science; Different Report Styles.
• Writing Exercises: Writing an Abstract; Report Construction and Continuity; Improvement of Writing Style.

Day 3: Writing Your Thesis
• Lectures: Designing & Writing Your Thesis; Researching Your Topic; Thesis Structure.
• Writing Exercises: Research Design Overview; Thesis Construction and Continuity of Chapters; Assessment of Writing Examples.

For further information, to download course outlines, venue details & registration forms, go to www.writingclearscience.com.au or email here or phone 0416-097979

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Sustainnovation® Pty Ltd – Grants, Tax Concessions and Strategy

Sustainnovation® Pty Ltd supports and encourages R&D, innovation, commercialisation and sustainability through:

• ensuring that you are making the most effective and efficient use of government incentive programs such as the R&D Tax Concession/Offset, Commercial Ready and the Renewable Energy Development Initiative (REDI);
• helping you identify and capture the business benefits of innovation and sustainability thinking; and
• making your organisation more rewarding for all stakeholders.

Sustainnovation® Pty Ltd is a new type of consulting practice, free of the traditional model that leads to a dependency relationship between you and the consultant. Our approach is to help you build the internal capabilities, processes and culture to create sustainable value for your business.

Wouldn't it be great to be able to complete your R&D tax concession claims or grant applications in-house? How about understanding and applying innovation and sustainability thinking? Well now you can. Keep an eye out for our range of "DIY" workshops in late 2006 or express your interest by contacting us now. Of course, we can still provide the full service if you wish but we believe that you have the right to make the choice that works best for you.

All of our services are delivered in a flexible and personal way by Paul Hodgson, founder and director of Sustainnovation® Pty Ltd. Until recently, Paul was a director at a Big 4 consulting firm, responsible for accessing over $30m of government incentives annually for innovative Australian companies in the biotechnology, information technology & communications, construction & engineering, energy & mining and manufacturing sectors. He was also a member of the firm’s national sustainability team.

Prior to this, Paul spent over 6 years at AusIndustry, leaving as Deputy Regional Director, Queensland in August 2000. Paul has a Master of Sustainable Development, a Bachelor of International Business, a Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training and is a Certified Developer of Enterprise.

Please contact Paul on 0421 052 091 or visit our website here to see how we can help you create your own sustainable value.

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Achieve world class results with business critical information

Thomson Scientific is the world’s leading provider of scientific and patent information. We help drive innovation by equipping the research and business communities with the latest information in all technologies from patents, scientific journals, and conferences.
We take you beyond access to information by helping you enhance the way your organization competes, discovers, innovates, creates and licenses - so you can market your products more successfully.

Stay ahead of the competition

• Keep up-to-date with new trends and developments
• Track the activities of your business rivals
• Get an early warning of new product launches
• Obtain new ideas for capturing market share
• Avoid costly infringement lawsuits
• Uncover profitable licensing opportunities
• Locate and headhunt experts to enhance your R&D

Let Thomson Scientific help your organization’s ability to innovate, work faster and smarter, and attain outstanding research and business results.

• Patents
• Scientific Literature
• Standards
• Trademarks
• Analytic Tools
• File Histories
• Professional Services
• Search Services

To find out more, go here

You can contact us at: ts.asia.info@thomson.com or +61 2 8587 7948

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Help is only a click of the mouse or a phone call away with AusIndustry

AusIndustry is the Australian Government’s business program delivery division and provides a range of programs that support business innovation.

AusIndustry delivers a range of more than 30 business products, including 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.

Developing a cutting-edge product, process or service? AusIndustry’s innovation grants program Commercial Ready offers project funding of $50,000 to $5 million for research, development and pre-commercialisation.

The Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET) program has a strong focus on mentoring, business management, advice and support and offers grants in the range of $5000 to $120,000.

To help customers with product and eligibility information, AusIndustry has customer service managers located in 26 offices across Australia, a national hotline and website, plus almost 60 Small Business Field Officers in regional areas.

Small businesses play an integral part in the Australian economy. About 95 per cent of all Australian businesses are small business, providing a vital source of jobs, economic growth and innovation.

AusIndustry offers both entitlement and competitive based products. For an entitlement based product, such as a tax concession, a customer qualifies to receive the assistance. For a competitive or merit-based product, such as an innovation grant, applicants compete on merit for limited funds, based on their application.

To subscribe to the AusIndustry e-bulletin or to ‘email updates’ about specific AusIndustry products, visit the AusIndustry website or call the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46 for more information

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