February 26, 2004
NEWS ALERTS
1. ARC AND NHMRC TO JOINTLY
FUND PROJECTS
The Australian Research Council (ARC) and the
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
are to collaborate in the selection and funding
of some areas of inter-disciplinary research.
Initially, the two Councils will issue joint
calls for research proposals in two areas: Thinking
Systems/Biological Programming and Ageing Well,
Ageing Productively.
Working groups comprising leading researchers
supported by the Councils have started discussing
projects and appropriate funding models within
the two areas.
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2. AARNet SIGNS UP FOR TRANSPACIFIC
CABLES Australian researchers will be
linked by two 10Gbps optic fibre cables to North
America, Europe, Asia and Central and South America
under a deal between the university/CSIRO owned
specialist research telecommunications company,
AARNet Pty Ltd, and the undersea cable provider
Southern Cross Cable Network (SCCN).
The Federal Government is contributing $16.4
million towards the provision of access for Australian
universities and research institutions and SCCN
is sponsoring the fibre optic circuits between
their cable landing sites in Sydney, Hawaii and
the US west coast.
AARNet and a number of US partner universities
and organisations will also contribute towards
the overall cost of the project, which will be
known as the The Southern Cross Trans-Pacific
Optical Research Testbed (SX TransPORT). AARNet’s
rights to use the capacity as outlined in the
Southern Cross sponsorship agreement will commence
within six months of the sponsorship’s start
date of 31 December 2003 and will last for an
initial period of five years.
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3. NEW ANSTO CEO APPOINTED
Dr Ian Smith, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research,
Enterprise and International) at the University
of Otago, New Zealand, has been appointed Executive
Director of the Australian Nuclear Science and
Technology Organisation (ANSTO).
Dr Smith, an Australian, has an academic background
in the mining and metallurgical fields including
three years as Head of the Department of Mining
and Metallurgical Engineering at the University
of Queensland. Dr Smith has also held senior research
and technology positions with CRA and Comalco.
He replaces Professor Helen Garnett who is now
Vice Chancellor of Charles Darwin University
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4. CHIEF SCIENTIST FOR CSIRO
LIVESTOCK INDUSTRIES
CSIRO Livestock
Industries has appointed Dr Peter Willasden as
its inaugural Chief Scientist. The Chief Scientist
will be responsible for scanning global research
to identify new and emerging opportunities for
Australian livestock industries and promote strategic
partnerships between researchers and industry.
Dr Willadsen previously headed CSIRO's Livestock
Applications of Biotechnology research program
in the Queensland Bioscience Precinct.
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CALL
FOR NOMINATIONS
5. 2004 PRIME MINISTER'S
PRIZES FOR SCIENCE
The 2004 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science
are now open for nominations.
You are invited to make a nomination for any
of the following five (5) prestigious awards:
* The Prime Minster's Prize for Science;
* Science Minister's Prize for Life Scientist
of the Year;
* Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist
of the Year;
* Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science
Teaching in Primary Schools; and
* Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science
Teaching in Secondary Schools.
Closing date is on Friday, 23 April 2004 AEST.
Information about the Prizes and the online nomination
process is available on the website of the Department
of Education, Science and Training: https://sciencegrants.dest.gov.au/scienceprize
Contact Information: Science Prizes Secretariat,
Science Awareness Section, Department of Education,
Science and Training,
Tel: (02) 6240 5066 (voicemail)
Right fax: (02) 6123 6168
Email: pmprize@dest.gov.au
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6. VICTORIA PRIZE
Each year the Victorian Government awards the
prestigious Victoria Prize of $50,000 to celebrate
the excellence of Victoria's science, technology
and engineering achievements.
Nominations are now open for the 2004 Victoria
Prize which will be awarded to an individual whose
cutting-edge discovery or innovation has significantly
advanced knowledge or has the clear potential
to produce a commercial outcome or other benefit
to the community.
In association with the Victoria Prize, the Jack
& Robert Smorgon Families Foundation will
award the $100,000 Anne & Eric Smorgon Memorial
Award to a research institute supporting the work
of the 2004 Victoria Prize winner.
For nomination forms and more information go
to
http://www.innovation.vic.gov.au
or call (03) 9651 9038.
Nominations close 15 April 2004.
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7. THE VICTORIA FELLOWSHIPS
FOR INNOVATION IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
In 2004 the Victorian Government will award up
to six Victoria Fellowships to encourage innovation
and the commercial application of research among
scientists and engineers in the early stages of
their careers.
The $18,000 Fellowships enable researchers and
innovators to undertake a short-term international
study mission to further their research, pursue
specialist training or develop a commercial idea.
Applications are open to scientists, engineers
and innovators working in industry as well as
researchers and students.
2004 Victoria Fellows planning a study mission
in France will also be eligible for a supplementary
$5,000 AFAS FEAST-France Fellowship from the Australian
French Association for Science and Technology
and the Embassy of France.
For application forms and more information go
to
http://www.innovation.vic.gov.au
or call (03) 9651 9038.
Applications close 15 April 2004.
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CONFERENCE
8. 2004 FENNER CONFERENCE
ON THE ENVIRONMENT - "Understanding the Population-Environment
Debate: Bridging Disciplinary Divides"
Shine Dome, Canberra, 24-25 May 2004.
http://www.science.org.au/conferences/fenner/index.htm
When it comes to the Population and Environment
debate, traditionally the various disciplines
have talked past one another, at cross-purposes
or simply gone around in circles.
This has led to a certain frustration and lethargy
regarding this important topic and has perhaps
also led to it not being given the serious attention
it deserves.
For the 2004 Fenner Conference on the Environment
we do not wish to rehearse old, discipline-bound,
orthodoxies. Rather, we want to get representatives
of the disciplines that are key to the debate
to meet and discuss the priorities, strengths,
assumptions and limitations (blind spots) of their
disciplinary perspectives on this topic.
The conference aims to improve the level of the
population-environment debate through understanding
disciplinary differences and fostering an integrated,
multi-disciplinary approach. Another aim is the
production of a conference Communiqué or
Action Plan. A program of well-regarded experts
has been drawn together and the format is designed
for a high level of interactivity with delegates.
A welcome and opening by Professor Frank Fenner
and the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment
and Heritage, a specialist Media Panel session,
and an entertaining Conference Dinner are other
important features of the event.
Email: ds@science.org.au
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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 grants specific to the Biotechnology sector
(BIF) and the Food Industry (FIG). 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: Alesandra Sainty (02) 9248 5289
Brisbane: Lindsay Somerville (07) 3011 3236
Adelaide: Chris Sharpley (08) 8233 1685
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SHORT COURSE
10. 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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