1. CSIRO's Wealth from Oceans Flagship launched

CSIRO's Wealth from Oceans Flagship has been officially launched, with initial partners including the Royal Australian Navy, the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology, the Australian Greenhouse Office, the National Oceans Office, the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC, the Australian Oceanographic Data Centre, the University of Tasmania, and the NSW and Western Australian State Governments.

The Flagship, led by Director, Craig Roy, has four key research themes:

• The Springboard - Ocean System Prediction and Response
• Oceans to Rain - Ocean-Based Forecasts of Australia's Climate
• Blue GDP - Ocean-Based Industry Development and Growth
• Marine Nation - Ocean-Based Regional Development and Growth

CSIRO will invest $19.2 million in the Wealth from Oceans Flagship in 2004-05.
More information is at http://www.csiro.au/

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2. Human Communications Network formed

The University of Western Sydney and Macquarie University are leading the formation of a new Human Communication Network which will draw together Australian and international researchers in speech, language, and sound, by and between humans and machines.

The Enabling Human Communication project has been awarded an ARC grant of $2 million over five years.

MARCS Auditory Laboratories at the University of Western Sydney will host and administer the network. Professor Robert Dale, from Macquarie University's Centre for Language Technology, has been appointed Network Convenor and Chair, Finance and Publicity. Director of MARCS, Professor Denis Burnham, will chair the Steering Committee and Conferences and Liaison, and Dr Kate Stevens of MARCS will chair the Training and Development Committee.

The network will take in all areas of human and machine communication, including automatic speech recognition, web interfaces, data retrieval and data mining systems, distress call monitoring, hearing prostheses, emotion in voice and gesture, cross-language and cross-cultural understanding of speech and music, second language learning, and archiving of indigenous languages and music.

For more information, go to
http://www.comp.mq.edu.au/research/langnet/index.html

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3. ARC targets international materials research

The Australian Research Council (ARC) has entered into a cooperative agreement with the US National Science Foundation (NSF) to stimulate enhanced collaborations among materials science researchers and create networks linking individuals and centres in Australia and the USA.

The ARC is providing funding under the Linkage-International program for researchers to participate in the NSF Program Materials World Network (MWN). The MWN includes joint activities between NSF and funding organizations in the Americas, through the Inter-American Materials Collaboration (CIAM); Europe, including national European funding organisations, the European Science Foundation, and the European Commission; and other funding organisations.

The ARC is holding discussions with funding agencies in the Asia-Pacific region with the view of expanding the initial collaboration into an Asia-Pacific Materials Science collaboration.

Further information about the MWN is at
www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/ nsf04599/nsf04599.htm.

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4. Queensland's Science in Parliament

Queensland's annual Science in Parliament day will be held on Wednesday, 6 October 2004.

The theme for the day is 'Queensland in 2025 through the eyes of science', and Queensland scientists will join members of parliament to discuss how science will shape the future of Queensland.

The keynote address will be given by science communicator, Professor Julian Cribb.

For more details, go to: www.chiefscientist.qld.gov.au/sip2004

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5. Pharmacy Centre of Excellence for Queensland

A new Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence (PACE) is to be established by the University of Queensland with the aim of becoming Australia’s leading facility for pharmaceutical research, education and drug commercialisation.

Partners in the PACE Project are the University of Queensland; the Queensland Government; the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia; the Pharmacy Guild of Australia; the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia; the Australian Institute of Pharmacy Management; Gold Cross Products and Services Pty Ltd; the Quality Care Pharmacy Program; Guild Insurance & Financial Services; and Pharmaceutical Defence Limited.

Construction of the facility, which will involve investment of at least $25m from the private and/or public sectors, is expected to be complete by June 2009.

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6. Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) 2004 National Symposium

Living Longer, Living Better – Improving longevity and quality of life through science, technology and engineering

Australians are living longer thanks to spectacular progress in health science, technology and engineering. But the nation now confronts a huge challenge in how we combat increasing chronic ill-health and respond to the needs of an ageing society for better quality of life, health, happiness and useful activity.

The 2004 ATSE National Symposium throws the spotlight on the next wave of advances designed to address the needs of the ageing society. Leading researchers from Australia and round the world will discuss, amongst other fascinating things, the latest approaches to early detection and prevention of disease, novel diets and electronic body parts.

“Living longer, living better” is being held in Adelaide, South Australia on 15 & 16 November, 2004. For more information, please contact Paula Williamson at the ATSE Office on (03) 9347 0622, or visit our website at www.atse.org.au

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7. ARMS National Conference 2004

The National Conference of ARMS will take place in Fremantle, Western Australia from 15-17 September this year.

The Conference theme of “Enabling the Research Environment” will be a challenge to Research Managers in an increasingly competitive setting.

Outstanding keynote speakers will address many of the challenges that lead researchers are facing in universities, government agencies and research centres.

• Linda Kristjanson- Cancer, Palliative Care and Family Health Research Team at Edith Cowan University, Telstra Business Woman, 2002
• Michael Barber Executive Director, Science Planning, CSIRO
• Alex Campbell Chairman of the CRC for Plant Based Management of Dryland Salinity
• Peggy Fischer Associate Inspector General for Investigations, US National Science Foundation
• Grahame Cook Deputy Secretary, Department of Education, Science And Training (DEST)
• Colin Cooper Head of Research Grants and Contracts Administration, University of London
• Sue Meek Commonwealth Gene Technology Regulator, ACT
• Fiona Wood Director of the WA Burns Service and Order of Australia Medal
• Steve Thompson Chief Executive, Royal Society of NZ
• Jan Massey Director of the Office of Research and Post Graduate Studies, University of Queensland
• Bill Schweri Director of Federal Relations, Office of the Vice President For Research, University of Kentucky,USA

In addition to this array of speakers, student actors will present a dramatic story on Ethics followed by a panel who will discuss the issues involved.

A second panel on Sustainable Research Partnerships will also generate some hot discussion

Two pre-conference workshops on Negotiating Technology Deals and Research Funding will provide some specialist experience in these areas. The ARMS AGM will also be part of the program.

Registration are already around the 200 mark and going up so don’t delay if you haven’t registered for this exciting conference program. Contact the organisers Promaco Conventions Pty Ltd on: Tel: (08) 9332 2900, Fax: (08) 9332 2911,
Email: promaco@promaco.com.au
Website: www.promaco.com.au/conference/2004/arms.

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8. IP Management & Knowledge Transfer Symposium

Presented by the Business/Higher Education Round Table in association with the Intellectual Property Research Institute of Australia.

29 September 2004 @ Sheraton Towers, Melbourne.

Symposium Dinner 28 September @ Sheraton Towers – Keynote Address by Hugh Morgan AC, Chair – Intellectual Property Research Institute of Australia.

A ONE DAY SYMPOSIUM pursuing 4 themes:
1. Setting the Scene – what do business & research institutions need from each other?
2. Structuring Collaborations – how should IP ownership & entitlements be allocated?
3. Commercialisation Strategies & Technicalities – what works & why?
4. Bridging the Gap – where do we go from here?

PROGRAM INCLUDES representatives from: Department of Industry, Tourism & Resources; Department of Innovation, Industry & Regional Development (Vic); Orica; Bluescope Steel; Fosters; AMRAD; Innovation Capital; University of Melbourne; IPRIA; Australian Institute of Commercialisation; ANSTO; CSIRO; Griffith Hack Legal; IP Australia; AGSM Centre for Corporate Change; & Global Banking & Securities Transactions Ltd.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: CEOs & Senior Management from industry; Vice-Chancellors & Academics from universities; Senior Officers & Policy Makers from government; Senior Management & Researchers from public/private research organisations; Entrepreneurs; Venture Capitalists and Students.

Register at: bhert@bhert.com Contact B-HERT Secretariat: 03 9419 8068

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9. 2-day IP Workshop

Sydney – 16 & 17 Sept

Presenters:

• Shaun Berg – Partner, Hunt & Hunt Lawyers
• Martin Pannall – Partner, Madderns Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys

The fuller course Legal Issues of the Commercialisation Process is part of the core group in the Master of Science & Technology Commercialisation (MSTC.)

Says Horden Wiltshire: "I am applying the skills developed during the [MSTC] on a daily basis as the CEO of one of Australia’s most exciting technology start-ups."
http://www.ecic.adelaide.edu.au/future/testimonial/

Full details in the course brochure, click here.

Free information sessions Australia-wide

You have probably heard about our practical, industry focused programs:

• Project Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Science and Technology Commercialisation

In fact, we currently have participants resident in every mainland state, the ACT and overseas, from a broad range of industry and professional backgrounds.

Now, we invite you to an Information Evening, or to visit us at your local Postgrad Expo:
http://www.ecic.adelaide.edu.au/ne/calendar/index.html

Through a mixture of intensive courses and online education, readings, assignments and <real> projects, you can earn a formal qualification (GradCert to Masters) whilst working full time. Live streaming of Intensives is also available.

To meet some of our current participants, visit http://www.ecic.adelaide.edu.au/future/current/

Call Adelaide: Thuy Khuk (08) 8222 9219
Sydney: Sarah Goodman-Jones (02) 9209 4115

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10. Spruson&Ferguson – Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, Lawyers

Spruson&Ferguson is one of the few intellectual property firms in Australia committed to providing a fully integrated service for the protection, commercialisation and enforcement of your IP.

We provide IP solutions to help unlock your commercial potential and to enforce and protect your IP. Our comprehensive range of services includes:

• patents, trade marks, designs, domain names, copyright, plant breeders' rights, confidential information and other IP
• IP portfolio management and audits
• IP litigation and dispute resolution
• IP commercialisation services including drafting and negotiation of licenses, joint ventures and R&D collaborations.

Contacts:
Chemical: Dr John McCann
Life Sciences: Dr Andrew Blattman
Electrical: Robert Miller
Mechanical: Greg Turner
Trade Marks: Annette Freeman
IP Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Simon Williams
IP Commercialisation: Rob McInnes
Managing Principal: David Griffith

Telephone: (02) 9207 0777
Fax: (02) 9261 5486
Email: mail@sprusons.com.au
URL: www.sprusons.com.au

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