Hallmark Editions

R&D INFO, September 25, 2003

SUMMARY

NEWS ALERTS

1. MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY NETWORK LAUNCHED
2. NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE PLAN
3. NEW ALLIANCE FOR OIL AND GAS RESEARCH
4. CSIRO PREVENTATIVE HEALTH FLAGSHIP LAUNCHED

RESEARCH FUNDING

5. TRAVEL GRANTS - International Science and Technology Networks Program

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

6. REVIEW OF THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, University of Tasmania

COURSES AND WORKSHOPS

7. GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN DRUG EVALUATION & PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES: 2004
8. STRATEGIC MARKETING OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS AND INNOVATIONS

BUSINESS SERVICES

9. SPRUSON&FERGUSON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICES

CONFERENCE

10. TECHNOLOGY PARKS AND INCUBATORS AUSTRALIA LTD NATIONAL CONFERENCE

NEWS ALERTS

1. MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY NETWORK LAUNCHED

An Australian Materials Technology Network (AMTN) has been established to improve industry access to materials technology, information and services that are available within Australia's research institutions. The Commonwealth Government is providing funding of $2.6 million under its Innovation Access Program to establish the network and this will be matched by funds and in-kind support from consortium partners. Angus Robinson, Chief Executive of AEEMA, is AMTN's inaugural Chairman.

2. NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE PLAN

The Federal Environment and Heritage Minister, Dr David Kemp, has announced that the Commonwealth will work with state and territory governments to develop a National Biodiversity and Climate Change Action Plan. A task force with representatives from all governments has been appointed to undertake a consultation process beginning this month which will lead to the development of a draft plan to be submitted to the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council in April next year.
To support the process, the Biological Diversity Advisory Committee and CSIRO have prepared a report, Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity in Australia, based on the findings of a workshop held in October last year, which makes an assessment of the effects of climate change on different ecosystems and puts forward a range of scenarios on the possible local impacts of global warming in the coming century. The report is available at http://www.ea.gov.au/biodiversity/science/bdac/greenhouse/index.html

3. NEW ALLIANCE FOR OIL AND GAS RESEARCH

The University of Western Australia (UWA), CSIRO's Division of Petroleum and Curtin University of Technology have formed a WA Energy Alliance to provide research and development and services, aimed at developing technology-based solutions for the global energy sector. The alliance will enable the key research organisations to share knowledge, skills and facilities in areas such as sub-surface technology, drilling and wells, offshore facilities and energy science. It is jointly funded by CSIRO, Curtin University of Technology and the Western Australian Government, and was developed in conjunction with the petroleum and mining industries.

4. CSIRO PREVENTATIVE HEALTH FLAGSHIP LAUNCHED

CSIRO's Preventative Health National Research Flagship (P-Health). has been launched, providing a focus for the convergence of research disciplines to tackle major national health issues. 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. The program has five research themes: colorectal cancer; cardiovascular disease; inflammatory disease; neuro-degenerative disease; and environment and health.

The Flagships are targeted initially at six fields of national endeavour - health, energy, water, agrifood, light metals and oceans. Further information is at http://www.csiro.au

RESEARCH FUNDING

5. TRAVEL GRANTS - International Science and Technology Networks Program

The Australian Academy of Science invites applications from young Australian researchers to visit Europe and the United States of America for periods of two to six weeks between 1 January 2004 and 30 June 2004 to conduct research projects. Proposals in any field of natural science, basic and applied, including mathematics and engineering science will be considered. Support will not be given when the primary purpose of the visit is to attend a conference.

Applicants should propose a collaborative research project, or a specific activity, which has been developed in consultation with host scientists.

Applicants must be in the last year of their doctorate degree, or have recently graduated.

Successful applicants will receive from the Academy a grant-in-aid of up to $7540, based on a contribution towards an economy airfare (maximum of $2500) and a living allowance of up to $120 per day (maximum of $5040).

These programs are administered by the Academy and funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training's International Science and Technology Networks, a component of the Innovation Access Program announced in the Government's Innovation Statement, Backing Australia's Ability.

Deadline is 19 October 2003. Information can be found on the Academy's websites at:
http://www.science.org.au/internat/exchange/yrusavis.htm
and
http://www.science.org.au/internat/exchange/yreurovis.htm

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

6. REVIEW OF THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, University of Tasmania

The University of Tasmania will be conducting an administrative review of the Research and Development Office. The Office's service provision to both internal and external clients will be examined, as well as other relevant issues.

A copy of the full terms of reference for the review may be obtained from the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), (03) 6226 2419, or can be viewed at http://www.research.utas.edu.au/rdo/

Submissions to the review, addressing any of the terms of reference including any matter of relevance, are invited from interested persons and groups from both within and outside the University. Submissions should be addressed to - Ms Janette Smith, Private Bag 51, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 7001, or emailed to janette.smith@utas.edu.au and should be received no later than close of business on Friday 10th October 2003.

Please note that submissions will be made available for circulation within the University unless marked 'Confidential'. Late submissions will not be accepted.

The Review will be held in early November 2003, and arrangements will be made for consultations with interested stakeholders.

COURSES AND WORKSHOPS

7. GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN DRUG EVALUATION & PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES: 2004

University of Melbourne, Australia

Today's potent drugs, combined with the complex issues of their production and use has created a growing need for evaluation of their safety and efficacy.

For such evaluation, wide ranging expertise is required in the areas of Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Legal and Ethical Considerations.

This diploma course gives a systematic overview of these areas and how they affect the very practical issues of drug evaluation and is aimed at Pharmacists, Research Nurses, Scientists, Medical Practitioners and others involved in regulatory affairs.

For more information please contact Mrs Nicola Cash Ph: +61 3 9496 3420, Fax: +61 39459 3510 or Email: njcash@unimelb.edu.au

8. STRATEGIC MARKETING OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS AND INNOVATIONS

Sydney 20 - 21 November 2003

Based on the successful Stanford University program, crucial issues covered during this two day non-residential workshops include:

* Identifying and targeting profitable growth opportunities

* Customer analysis and market segmentation

* Sales and distribution channels

* Establishing profitable partnerships

* Pricing, positioning and re-positioning for success

* Branding and winning promotion programs

* Profitable international expansion

* The technology adoption lifecycle

The program is led by Tony Seba, a Silicon Valley CEO and Lecturer at Stanford University and Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Tony brings 20 years of operating experience in fast growth high technology companies. He's currently President of Seba Group, a high technology strategy consulting and accelerator in San Francisco, CA.

Prior to this, Tony has worked in business development and strategic planning at Cisco Systems and RSA Security. He has been responsible for the architecture, development and marketing of more than two dozen products including Java security, electronic payment technology, sales force automation, computer-aided software engineering and e-commerce infrastructure.

Tony has been featured in Business Week, Investors Business Daily, Forbes, Fast Company, Success and other media and holds entrepreneurship awards such as BridgeGate's Top 20 Difference Makers.

To enrol on this program, please telephone Client Services on + 612 9931 9333, email enquiries@agsm.edu.au or go to http://www.agsm.edu.au/smhtpi for the online brochure.

BUSINESS SERVICES

9. SPRUSON&FERGUSON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICES

Spruson&Ferguson is a leading Australian patent and trade mark attorney firm with more than 110 years' experience in intellectual property protection and enforcement worldwide.

We understand how to advance your intellectual property assets. With over 60 professional staff in our Sydney office, our depth and breadth of industry and academic experience covers all technologies and IP legal issues.

We offer the full scope of IP services including patent drafting, litigation, franchising, licensing, and IP management.

If you need guidance in protecting your IP assets or advice on how to capitalise on these assets, call one of the below Principals on (02) 9207 0777 and arrange a free initial consultation.

Electrical technologies: Robert Miller, robert.miller@sprusons.com.au
Biotechnology: Dr Andrew Blattman, andrew.blattman@sprusons.com.au
Chemical technologies: John McCann, john.mccann@sprusons.com.au
Mechanical technologies: Greg Turner, greg.turner@sprusons.com.au
Medical technologies: Ryan Curnick, ryan.curnick@sprusons.com.au
Trade marks: Annette Freeman, annette.freeman@sprusons.com.au

CONFERENCE

10. Technology Parks and Incubators Australia Ltd National Conference

Technology Park Conference Centre
Technology Park Adelaide
Innovation House, Mawson lakes Boulevard

28 - 29 October 2003

Habitats of Excellence: Building Tomorrow's Technology Industries

This year the conference will have an international flavour with the participation of a group of Italian Technology Park delegates.

The conference will commence with a key note address by Mr Mark Hollands who for the past 4 years has been a writer for The Australian specializing in IT and business issues.

Topics to be covered during the conference include:

"Tomorrows Wealth Generators: Grasping New and Emerging Technologies"
Speakers Professor John Rawlston, Iam Wark Research Institiute; Dr Jurgen Michaelis CEO Bio Initiatives SA; Mr Nathan Brumby CEO SEA; and a representative of the Italian Technology Parks

"Stimulating Entrepreneurship and Supporting Start-ups"
Speakers: Mr Steve Montgomery, CEO Australian Technology Park; Mr Nigel McBride, MD Minter Ellison; Mr Paul Weiss, GM DSpace

"The Next Generation of Technology Parks & Incubators - Challenges & Opportunities"
Speakers Ms Anne Skewes GM Technology Park Adelaide; Mr Cameron Frazer Dept of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development Victoria; Mr Mark Jones Zernike WA

There will also be an Innovator Showcase and launch of a new Business Accelerator initiative.

For more details email S.TEvents@bigpond.com