R&D INFO, November 6, 2003


SUMMARY

NEWS ALERTS

NEWS ALERTS
1. CSIRO PREVENTATIVE HEALTH FLAGSHIP LAUNCHED
2. ENERGY FLAGSHIP LAUNCHED
3. VICTORIAN INNOVATION BOARD PROJECTS
4. SA PROGRAM TO BOOST SCIENCE & MATHS
5. WA WATER RESEARCH FOUNDATION LAUNCHED
6. TASMANIAN ICT DIRECTORY


SHORT COURSE

7. STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLANNING FOR TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALISATION


FURTHER EDUCATION

8. MASTER OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP - COMMERCIALISATION - PROJECT MANAGEMENT


BUSINESS SERVICES

9. ERNST & YOUNG R&D SERVICES


NEWS ALERTS

1. CSIRO PREVENTATIVE HEALTH FLAGSHIP LAUNCHED

CSIRO's Preventative Health National Research Flagship (P-Health). has been launched, and will focus on five research themes: colorectal cancer; cardiovascular disease; inflammatory disease; neuro-degenerative disease; and environment and health.
P-Health is a nation-wide partnership of research institutions, health bodies and companies, including CSIRO, Neurosciences Australia, the National Ageing Research Institute, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, and the universities of Melbourne, Adelaide, Flinders and South Australia. It also maintains links with the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Director of p-Health, Professor Richard Head, said the program will promote the objectives of 'wellness' and disease prevention and develop a range of measures - from foods and diets to early-stage diagnosis and improved management of disease - to assist healthcare professionals and individuals to reduce the incidence and severity of ill-health.

2. ENERGY FLAGSHIP LAUNCHED

CSIRO has also launched its Energy Transformed research flagship, under the leadership of Director, Dr John Wright. The Energy Transformed research flagship aims to:
* develop and implement technologies leading to near zero emissions power from fossil fuels and eventually, large-scale hydrogen generation;
* develop cost-effective electricity and hydrogen from renewable sources;
increase the fuel and traffic management efficiency of urban transport leading to an eventual transition to hydrogen-powered vehicles;
* double the efficiency of fuel use (natural gas and eventually hydrogen) by the generation of power/heat/cooling at point-of-use; and
* carry out energy scenario analyses to guide the research activities of the Flagship to achieve the goal of clean, cost-effective future energy for all Australians.
More information about the CSIRO Flagships is at http://www.csiro.au


3. VICTORIAN INNOVATION BOARD PROJECTS

The Victorian Government's Innovation Economy Advisory Board is undertaking several projects as part of its mission to identify ways in which Victoria can improve productivity through innovation.
In addition to the Innovation Audit, for which a draft report was released in August, the Board is conducting projects on environmental technologies and industries in Victoria; creative capital in Victoria; and innovation and skills development in the workplace.
The Creative Capital in Victoria project is examining how best-practice creative enterprises in the Victorian creative industries manage, foster, promote and capture employee creativity; and how to foster new trans-disciplinary linkages and collaboration between the arts and sciences in Victoria.
The Innovation & Skills Development in the Workplace project is developing case studies of innovation systems in companies which highlight two types of innovation - continuous innovation and breakthrough innovation.
The Environmental technologies and industries in Victoria project is examining issues identified at a workshop held in July including regulatory environment; medium and longer term opportunities for industry development; and industry promotion.
For more information about the Board's activities, go to http://www.iird.vic.gov.au, click on Innovation Economy Advisory Board.

4. SA PROGRAM TO BOOST SCIENCE & MATHS

The South Australian Government is investing $2.1 million in a 14-point action plan to arrest declining interest among young people in science and mathematics.
The three-year program will aim to attract students to science and mathematics subjects at high school and university levels and also to address the shortage of science and mathematics teachers in SA by attracting more people to the vocation and retaining existing teachers.
Initiatives under the program include:
* $878,000 over three years to set up 48 focus schools that will explore ways technology can be used to make science and mathematics popular among students.
* Industry placements for 36 driven science and mathematics teachers.
* A Science and Mathematics Career Expo.
* 20 scholarships for disadvantaged and Aboriginal students to attend the Australian Science and Mathematics School (ASMS).
* Scholarship for 10 teachers to train as leaders in science and mathematics.
* A working party to look at the future recruitment and supply of science and mathematics teachers in South Australia.
* Pairing up teaching students with the State's best science and mathematics teachers for mentoring and work experience.
* Development of print resources, a website for students and teachers and action research trials in up to five high schools.

5. WA WATER RESEARCH FOUNDATION LAUNCHED

The Western Australian Government has announced the establishment of the Premier's Water Research Foundation which will have the role of promoting and enhancing water-related research across the state.
The Foundation will encourage and monitor the development of water related technologies across all water usage sectors, especially in the areas of treated wastewater and stormwater
The Foundation, which will receive $3 million from the State Government, will be chaired by Charlie Welker, chairman of the Swan River Trust.

6. TASMANIAN ICT DIRECTORY

An online directory of Tasmanian information communications technology (ICT) companies funded by the Intelligent Island Program has been launched by Deputy Premier Paul Lennon.
The IntelligentIsland.com.au directory currently contains information on more than 90 companies.
The website will also function as a centralised information distribution point where subscribers can receive information on industry events, training opportunities, news items and employment opportunities in the Tasmanian ICT sector. Further information is at http://www.intelligentisland.com.au


SHORT COURSE


7. STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLANNING FOR TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALISATION

YOU HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY......
BUT CAN YOU TAKE IT TO MARKET SUCCESSFULLY?

Melbourne University Private and the Australian Institute for Commercialisation offer a five-day intensive course in Strategic Business Planning for Technology Commercialisation.

* Learn how to commercialise new products and services
* Find out how to secure finance
* Polish your business planning and strategic skills

If you apply your skill to the completion of a commercialisation plan for your business, you can gain an accredited award at the same time.

It's an intensive experience that will challenge your knowledge of the technology commercialisation process, involve you in some hands-on learning and teamwork and give you skills and self-awareness that will apply immediately to your work situation.

Here's what some of the participants have said:
"I liked being able to see a bigger picture and how things link together"
"It puts business frameworks into the technology commercialisation space"
"I would recommend this course absolutely... the content is superb and of immediate relevance"

Next delivery dates are:
* Brisbane December 8th to 12th 2003
* Melbourne February 16th to 20th 2004

The cost for the intensive program is $3200 + GST
For more information go to http://www.muprivate.edu.au/commercialise or contact Gemma Lane, 03 9810 3174 g.lane@muprivate.edu.au.

 

FURTHER EDUCATION

8. MASTER OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP - COMMERCIALISATION - PROJECT MANAGEMENT

INFORMATION EVENINGS IN SYDNEY, PERTH, BRISBANE, ADELAIDE

A common theme throughout the presentations at the BHERT Conference in August and at Ausbiotech 2003 was the need to develop business skills amongst our engineering and science professionals.

Well, at the ECIC, we offer on-campus/distance postgraduate programs, from Graduate Certificate to Masters level, in:

* Science & Technology Commercialisation
* Project Management
* Entrepreneurship

The ECIC is a unit of the University of Adelaide - also with a campus in Sydney. You are invited to the ECIC's Information Evenings on at:

Perth: 6 November 2003 at 5:45pm

Sydney: 19 November 2003 at 6pm

Brisbane: 20 November 2003 at 5:45pm

Check the website for details:
http://www.ecic.adelaide.edu.au/ne/calendar/index.html

Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP ESSENTIAL: please send your registration details to:
sarah.goodmanjones@adelaide.edu.au

Or phone Sarah (Sydney): (02) 9209 4115
Kerry (Adelaide): (08) 8303 7516
for more information.

 

BUSINESS SERVICES

9. ERNST & YOUNG R&D SERVICES

Ernst & Young Australia boasts one of the most experienced and multi-disciplined Innovation & Incentives practices in Australia. Comprising specialists with hands-on expertise in developing technology and leveraging government assistance, Ernst & Young's team is dedicated to helping clients gain maximum value from their R&D investments.

Ernst & Young has extensive experience with the R&D Tax Concession, R&D Tax Offset (cash rebate), R&D Start grants and loans, and Biotechnology Innovation Fund. We can also assist companies to access Export Market Development Grants and other State and Commonwealth grants. We help hundreds of Australian companies to access substantial R&D benefits each year.

Ernst & Young can help you to select the type of R&D assistance that best suits your company, considering your circumstances, your industry and your R&D projects. For more information on how Ernst & Young can help, please contact an office near you or visit our website at http://www.ey.com.au

Perth: Robin Parsons (08) 9429 2251
Melbourne: Steven Batrouney (03) 8650 7571
Melbourne: Alun Needham (03) 9288 8099
Sydney: Mark Tafft (02) 8295 6987
Brisbane: Lindsay Somerville (07) 3011 3236
Adelaide: Chris Sharpley (08) 8233 1685