R&D INFO, April 24, 2003


SUMMARY
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NEWS ALERTS


1. CRC EVALUATION
2. NICTA CEO APPOINTED
3. NATIONAL STEM CELL CENTRE FUNDING OK'd
4. NEW NHMRC MEMBERS APPOINTED

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CONFERENCES


5. FEAST 4: NETWORKING FOR EXCELLENCE
6. COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRES ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

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BUSINESS SERVICES


7. ERNST & YOUNG R&D SERVICES

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NEWS ALERTS
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1. CRC EVALUATION

Consulting firm, Howard Partners, has been appointed to conduct the evaluation of the Cooperative Research Centres Program.
The evaluation is being overseen by a steering group comprising Dr Geoffrey Vaughan, Chairman of the CRC committee; Dr Tony Peacock, CRC Association; Professor Ron MacDonald, Convenor of the AVCC's committee of Deputy Vice-Chancellors and ProVice Chancellors dealing with research; and Dr Paul Donaghue, industry research manager.
Howard Partners has developed a set of specific matters on which they are seeking views and opinions from stakeholders and CRCs. The consultation process will include a series of focus group meetings in capital cities for CRC participants and a questionnaire managed by Orima Research.
Further information is at the CRC Program website at http://www.crc.gov.au or Email: crc@howardpartners.com.au Tel: (02) 6273 5222.

2. NICTA CEO APPOINTED

The Commonwealth funded IT Centre of Excellence, National ICT Australia (NICTA) is to be headed by an American, Dr Mel Slater, formerly Vice-President of Motorola's Global Software Group. The Commonwealth has committed $129.5 million over five years to NICTA, half of which will come from the Australian Research Council.

3. NATIONAL STEM CELL CENTRE FUNDING OK'd

The review of the selection process for the Federal Government's Biotechnology Centre of Excellence, commissioned by the Prime Minister, John Howard, has vindicated the selection of the the National Stem Cell Centre (NSCC) headed by Professor Alan Trounson. Mr Howard said that the report found no significant deficiencies in the process and he has accepted its recommendation that the grant of $43.44 million over five years to the NSCC proceed.

4. NEW NHMRC MEMBERS APPOINTED

Professor John Shine, Professor of Medicine and Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of NSW and Director of the Garvan Institute, has been appointed Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Twenty-five members of the NHMRC have been announced for the next triennium, with another two yet to be announced.
A restructuring of the Council has seen the NHMRC's Research Committee and the Strategic Research Development Committee merged to form a revamped Research Committee under the leadership of Professor Judith Black.
Professor Adele Green will continue to head the Health Advisory Committee and Dr Kerry Breen will remain Chair of the Australian Health Ethics Committee.

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CONFERENCES
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5. FEAST 4: NETWORKING FOR EXCELLENCE

FEAST is proud to announce its 2nd major international conference entitled FEAST 4: Networking for Excellence, which will take place on June 17 and 18 2003 in Canberra.

The Hon Peter McGauran MP, the Federal Minister for Science will open the conference and eminent speakers from Australia and Europe will be taking part.

The aims of the conference are to increase awareness of the state-of-play in research in Australia and Europe, facilitate joint research projects and provide commentary on the status of Australia-European research collaboration.

The focus of the conference will be:

* the forms and capabilities of networks;

* how research priorities will shape excellent science;

* the role of international exchange in training and development; and

* the social responsibility of science.

You can register for the Networking for Excellence conference at http://www.feast.org/feast4.html. The registration fee on or before Friday 23 May 2003 will be AUD 250. For more information on the conference and to
view the conference program please visit our website at http://www.feast.org/feast4.html or email info@feast.org

This conference is being supported by DEST, National Europe Centre, European Commission, Member State missions of the European Union in Australia and the Australian Academy of Science.


6. COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRES ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE - CRCs Connecting Communities: Meeting National Research Priorities

Cooperative Research Centres Association (CRCA) Conference, 27-29 May 2003, Canberra National Convention Centre

People interested in research, education, business, industry, environment or rural issues and ideas are invited to attend the annual conference of the CRCA in Canberra during May.

The conference will explore the connections between these various communities and how CRC research is meeting the Commonwealth Government's National Research Priorities, released in December last year.

The conference will focus on connections between CRCs and:

* the National Research Priorities - with views from the Government and Federal Opposition

* research for a safe, healthy and sustainable Australia

* research producing "frontier" technologies

* small and medium sized businesses

* PhD students involved in CRC programs

* different cultures

* the assessors/reviewers of CRC programs

Keynote speakers include Nobel Laureate, Professor Peter Doherty, and the Federal Minister for Science. A Gala Dinner in the Great Hall at Parliament House on Tuesday evening, 27 May will recognise those CRCs who have made significant achievements in innovation.

For more information contact: Caroline Jones, Professional Corporate Conferences on 02 8850 6796 or go to: http://www.crca.asn.au/conference

REGISTER NOW - on line or via the registration brochure

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BUSINESS SERVICES
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7. 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: Craig Fowler (02) 9248 5308
Sydney: Sandra Mason (02) 8295 6267
Brisbane: Lisa Chamberlain (07)3011 3239
Brisbane: Lindsay Somerville (07) 3011 3236
Adelaide: Chris Sharpley (08) 8233 1685


 

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See also:
R&D Review