February 12, 2004
NEWS ALERTS
1. INNOVATION OVERHAUL
FOR QUEENSLAND
Queensland's innovation portfolio has been realigned
with state development in the Beattie Government's
post election ministerial line-up. The new Minister
for State Development and Innovation is Tony McGrady,
formerly Minister for Police, Corrective Services
& Minister assisting on the Carpentaria Minerals
Province. In the previous government, State Development,
Communication and Sport was held by the Deputy
Premier, Terry Mackenroth, while Innovation and
the Information Economy was held by Paul Lucas,
now Minister for Transport and Main Roads. Newcomer
to the Cabinet, John Mickel, takes on the Environment
portfolio, while former Industrial Relations Minister,
Gordon Nuttall, is now Minister for Health.
The newly returned Beattie Government has undertaken
to invest additional funding of $50 million for
further rounds of the Smart State Research Facilities
Fund (SSRFF). A further $3.2 million will be provided
to widen the existing BioStart scheme into a new
program called TeQstart which will make funds
available for early stage innovation development
across all technology industry sectors including
information and communication technology, environmental
management, engineering, electronics, health/
medical, nanotechnology and advanced material
sectors.
In other news in Queensland, Emeritus Professor
Peter Andrews has been appointed the Queensland
Chief Scientist. Professor Andrews will advise
the Government on ways to raise Queensland's scientific
profile, increase national and international collaboration
and maximise returns on R&D expenditure.
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2. CALL FOR NEW APPROACH
TO SCIENCE AND INNOVATION IN NSW
The NSW Parliament's Standing Committee on State
Development inquiry into science and commercialization
in NSW has recommended:
* the creation of a position of Chief Scientist
of NSW and an Office of the Chief Scientist;
* the formation of a new Ministry for Science
and Innovation within the science portfolio;
* creation of a Science Leadership Group to facilitate
the flow of advice from the science community;
and
* a review of the BioFirst strategy.
The report can be downloaded at http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/
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3. VICTORIA TO DEVELOP
NANOTECHNOLOGY STRATEGY
The Victorian Government is developing a strategic
plan for nanotechnology R&D and for the growth
of a nanotechnology industry in Victoria. A discussion
paper has been released setting out current capabilities
in nanotechnology, educational opportunities and
R&D activity, and other issues that have been
identified as impacting on the development of
a `nanotechnology-enabled' Victorian industry.
The paper outlines a proposal for a Victoria
cross-sectoral body comprising representatives
from education, research, government, industry
and local `champions' that could provide leadership
in the development and growth of a `nanotechnology
enabled' Victorian industry. The paper can be
accessed at http://www.innovation.vic.gov.au.
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4. BIOENGINEERING AND
NANOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE FOR QUEENSLAND
The Queensland Government will contribute $17.5
million to the $60 million Australian Institute
of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) complex
to be established at the University of Queensland.
Other funding for the complex, scheduled to open
in late 2005, has been sourced from private benefactor,
the Atlantic Philanthropies ($17.5 million) and
the University ($15 million).
Professor Peter Gray has been appointed inaugural
Director, joining UQ from the University of New
South Wales (UNSW). The Australian Research Council
(ARC) Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, will
be housed in the new AIBN complex. The ARC Centre,
headed by Federation Fellow Professor Max Lu,
is developing nanomaterials for health, clean
energy and environmental technologies. The complex
will also house the UQ Centre for Nanotechnology
and Biomaterials, headed by Professor Matt Trau,
which is designing artificial human organs and
tissues that will be less likely to be rejected
by the body.
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5. CSIRO, UNIVERSITIES
INVEST IN SYNCHROTRON
The University of Melbourne, Monash University
and the CSIRO have become the first three Foundation
Partners of the Australian Synchrotron project,
each committing $5 million towards initial beamlines.
The funds will contribute to the total $206 million
cost of the synchrotron, adding to the $157 million
committed by the Victorian Government. Discussions
are underway for further contributions from other
governments, including the New Zealand Government,
universities and research institutions.
The synchrotron is expected to be operational
in 2007. Construction is under way at the Monash
University site, and Danish firm Danfysik has
been awarded the contract to design, supply, install
and commission the injector system.
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
COMMERCIALISATION
6. NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Melbourne University Private and the Australian
Institute for Commercialisation offer a five-day
intensive course in New Product Development.
* Learn how to recognise opportunities and translate
market knowledge into products
* Understand and manage the supply chain
* Develop risk and decision analysis techniques
If you apply your skill to the completion of
a new product development plan for your business
you can gain an accredited award at the same time.
It's an intensive experience that will take you
through the new product development process, involve
you in some hands-on learning and teamwork and
give you skills that you can apply immediately
to your work situation.
The program is delivered by a team of leading
management educators and experts with extensive
international experience and success in new product
development.
Next delivery dates are:
* Melbourne - March 22nd to 26th 2004
* Brisbane - April 19th to 23rd 2004
The cost for the intensive program is $3200 +
GST. A fully residential option is available for
Brisbane for an additional cost.
For more information go to http://www.muprivate.edu.au/commercialise
or contact Gemma Lane, 03 9810 3174 g.lane@muprivate.edu.au.
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7. MEET THE MSTC ALUMNI
The Education Centre for Innovation and Commercialisation
(ECIC) congratulates, and presents, the latest
achievers and alumni of our Science & Technology
Commercialisation programs. Meet them. Know that
whoever joins us is in very impressive company:
http://www.ecic.adelaide.edu.au/documents/MastersofUniverse.pdf
Our articulated awards (GradCert, GradDip, Masters)
are available in distance mode. Courses start
and finish every six weeks. The first one this
year, Leading & Managing, was fully booked.
Apply quickly to join us on 19 March with
* Marketing Technological Innovation
Then every six weeks:
* Managing Product Design and Development
* Financing Commercialisation
* Internationalisation of Technology
* Legal Issues of the Commercialisation Process
* Strategic Analysis for Technology Commercialisation
* Year-long Masters Project, commencing 27 February.
Our integrated portfolio of programs has a consistently
impressive pedigree.
Project Management. Offered in 2003 for the first
time, solidly grounded in the experience and expertise
of Professor Vernon Ireland. With both private
sector and academic background, here and abroad,
Vernon is President of the Sydney Division of
Engineers Australia.
Entrepreneurship. This new Masters, offered for
the first time in 2004, builds upon the successful
programs run with the Office of Industry Liaison.
We always focus on facilitating creation of new
ventures, in any market segment.
http://www.ecic.adelaide.edu.au/
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8. TURN IDEAS INTO MONEY
MAKING VENTURES: SWINBURNE MASTER OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AND INNOVATION
Learn how to commercialise your research product
and/or how to set up a successful new enterprise.
Applications accepted now.
The Master of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
at the Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship
(AGSE), Swinburne University, covers all the skills
you need to successfully commercialise an innovative
product or new business venture. Our program provides
practical tools to explore potential opportunities,
gain finance, and to grow and harvest your business.
Not that we are limited to start-ups. Our five-star
Master of Business Administration not only offers
the opportunity to acquire contemporary management
knowledge and skills, it also provides you with
the ability to apply that knowledge in an innovative,
creative and entrepreneurial way.
To advance your business research skills consider
our Doctor of Business Administration and PhD.
Applications accepted now for the March 2004
intake (classes begin 8 March). Single subjects
available. The Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme
(PELS) applies to our Masters programs. To learn
more contact us on 03 9214 5241 /8512, agse@swin.edu.au
or visit http://www.swin.edu.au/agse.
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