1. Labor's research pledges

A Labor Government will realign research policy with industry policy and will establish a new Collaborative Partnerships Program to encourage greater research collaboration between the public and private sectors and to create opportunities for newer and regional universities to co-operate with more established universities and public research agencies.

Announcing the ALP's research policy, the Shadow Minister for Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, said Labor would reassess the National Research Priorities and would focus on gathering the best minds to tackle the big problems and questions facing Australia.

Senator Carr has also indicated that a Labor government will undertake a `strategic overhaul' of CSIRO, including a reinvigoration of the CSIRO board and moves to make it more accountable to agreed priorities.

The ALP has also undertaken to establish a $35 million Centre of Excellence in Tropical Research to focus on protection of the Great Barrier Reef and North Queensland’s tropical rainforest.

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2. Australia continues to lag in R&D investment

Research and development spending in both the public and private sectors has fallen as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product between 2000-01 and 2002-03, and although Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) as a percentage of GDP has risen from 1.55% in 2000-01 to 1.62% in 2002-03, Austalia has failed to improve its R&D performance compared with other OECD countries.

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics this month show that expenditure on R&D carried out by government organisations (GOVERD) fell from 0.35% to 0.33% of GDP, while business expenditure on R&D (BERD) decreased from 0.81% of GDP in 2001-02 to 0.79% in 2002-03.

Gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) in Australia in 2002-03 was estimated to be $12,250m at current prices, 17.6% higher than that recorded in 2000-01. With the exception of the state/territory government which remained steady, all sectors showed an increase in R&D expenditure compared with 2000-01.

Australia's overall ranking amongst OECD countries continues to reflect the low R&D expenditure to GDP ratio of the business sector, despite the government and higher education sectors having comparatively high ratios

The information is contained in three reports, Research and Experimental Development, Businesses, Australia, 2002-03, (cat no 8104.0); Research and Experimental Development, Government and Private Non-Profit Organisations, Australia (cat no 8109.0); and Research and Experimental Development, All Sector Summary, Australia (cat no 8112.0) They can be obtained from the ABS online at www.abs.gov.au.

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3. All research theses to go online

The Australian Digital Theses Program (ADT) is to be upgraded to enable the creation of an online directory of all research theses and dissertations from Australian universities.

The ADT’s current repository content will expand to provide an index to all Australian higher degree theses, whether in digital form or not, no matter when or where they were awarded.

The ADT Expansion and Redevelopment Project has been funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) through the Australian Research Information Infrastructure Committee (ARIIC) program.

The Australian Digital Theses Program can be accessed at http://adt.caul.edu.au/.

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4. Velocity: Science in Motion E-newsletter launched

Velocity: Science in Motion is a free, quarterly e-newsletter that has just been launched highlighting breakthrough Australian science from a range of agencies and individuals. Published by ANSTO - the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation - it can be subscribed to by visiting http://velocity.ansto.gov.au Dr Robin Batterham provides an introduction.

The first issue features stories on: ANSTO research into crocodile blood - with the aim of creating a human blood replacement; CSIRO mineral sands research that has the potential to trap pollutants; an avalanche prediction device; ANSTO's replacement research reactor; an exhibition at one of Australia's premier science museums, Questacon; and radiopharmaceutical research.

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5. The GlaxoSmithKline Australia Award for Research Excellence

In 2001, the formation of GlaxoSmithKline Australia through the merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham provided an opportunity to create the new GlaxoSmithKline Australia Award for Research Excellence. Along with the new name comes a new award trophy, a unique piece of art constructed from solid glass that dramatically symbolizes the significant achievement of the research recipient. This year the grant accompanying the award has been increased to $50,000 from $30,000.

The award is open to all Australian medical researchers. Applications close on October 1.
For additional information or an Award application, go to www.gsk.com.au.

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6. Postdoctoral and Invitation Fellowships with Japan (for travel in 2005)

The Australian Academy of Science, in association with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), invites applications from Australian researchers to conduct Postdoctoral and Invitation Fellowships in Japan.

Postdoctoral Fellowships are for periods of 12 to 24 months, Invitation Fellowships (short-term ) are for a period of 14 to 61 days and the Invitation Fellowship (long-term) is for 61 days to 10 months.

Deadline for applications: Friday 15 October 2004. More information is available on the Academy's website at:

http://www.science.org.au/internat/exchange/jspspd.htm

http://www.science.org.au/internat/exchange/jspsfst.htm

http://www.science.org.au/internat/exchange/jspsflt.htm

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7. 7th World Congress of Bioethics

The University of New South Wales, Sydney
9-12 November 2004

The World Congress of Bioethics will be held in Sydney in November of this year. It is a first for Australia and a major event that will deal with contentious issues in bioethics and major concerns of ethics and human rights affecting us globally. The Congress theme is Deep Listening: bridging divides in local and global ethics. The keynote address (on the Congress theme) will be given by Marcia Langton, Professor of Australian Indigenous Studies, University of Melbourne. Thomas Pogge, a teacher of moral and political philosophy at Columbia University, will speak on World Poverty and Health and other eminent speakers including George Annas, Alex Capron, Dan Wikler will speak on human rights and bioethics, and ethics in population health. The program is rich and stimulating, with Plenary, Special Symposia, Concurrent, Conversation and Poster Session presentations addressing challenging issues across a broad range of bioethics including:

• Political Refugees
• HIV/AIDS
• Terminal Patients and Palliative Care
• Organ Transplantation
• Ethics of Indigenous Health
• Euthanasia
• Ethics of Research
• Assisted Reproduction
• Genetics, Stem Cells and Cloning
• Ethics Consultation
• Evidence Based Medicine

Visit www.bioethicsworldcongress.com for more details on the program, invited speakers, online registration, satellite conferences and associated meetings.

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8. Major National Research Facilities - Showcasing Scientific Success

Visiting ---- Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Tasmania, Adelaide and Perth
11th October through to 21st October 2004

There are fifteen Major National Research Facilities supported by the Federal Government in their granting round for major infrastructure funding in 2001. In order to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of each, the MNRFs with a biological emphasis are organising one day meetings in each capital city.

Each MNRF will present on its state of the art capabilities and technologies for enabling Australian science. Additionally, more than half of the meeting will be devoted to showcasing the talented scientists in each capital city such as the Federation Fellows as well as those on the cutting edge of new discoveries.

We are expecting strong support from the government sector and look forward to a fascinating day of revealing science.

• Brisbane - Monday, 11th October
• Sydney - Tuesday, 12th October
• Canberra - Wednesday, 13th October
• Melbourne - Monday, 18th October
• Tasmania - Tuesday, 19th October
• Adelaide - Wednesday, 20th October
• Perth - Thursday, 21st October

For programs and registration information, please go to www.mnrfroadshow2004.org.au

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9. Chifley equals capability

The development of management capability is Chifley Business School’s core focus and it is this focus that sets it apart from other business schools and management education providers.

It is commonplace today for most Australian universities and business schools to deliver academic programs rather than practical solutions that can be applied to live management scenarios.

The use of typical academic jargon needs to change, after all, effective management training must lead to more than just knowledge, it must lead to capability that can be directly applied in the workplace.

According to Andrew MacDonald, Executive Director of Chifley Business School, curriculum must be the highest priority and questions such as what does the course actually offer, how will the information I learn be applied and will it be relevant, must be asked.

“It is Chifley’s belief that the dominant role as an education institution is to provide an environment in which students can expand their minds and learn the processes that lead to the ability to be successful within an organisation,” said MacDonald. “Management capability is a manager’s capacity to deliver the required outcome.”

Unique in its approach, Chifley focuses on creating management capability skills by relying on practical experience rather than just academic knowledge.

It is likely with the success of the Chifley model and the ever increasing number of academic experts and panels voicing the need for a more personalised approach to learning, that independent learning methodologies are likely to become a significant trend in business schools and universities.

Chifley Business School is Australia's largest independent business school. Chifley's programs include The APESMA La Trobe MBA, Short Courses in management run over 1-2 days in every capital city in Australia and nationally accredited Certificate and Diploma courses delivered online. To view a list of Chifley's offerings, visit www.chifley.edu.au or call us on 1300 85 33 77 to request a brochure

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10. Melbourne University Private and AIC programs available for 04/05

Melbourne University Private and the AIC are pleased to advise the following programs for 2004/05

Negotiating Technology Deals - Join Phil Mendes on Wednesday October 27th in Melbourne for the highly popular delivery of this one day program outlining the common traps and pitfalls in negotiating a technology deal. Registrations close October 22nd

Technology Value Estimation November 24th Brisbane- work through all the steps you need to understand the value of your technology, how that value can be shared between the manufacturer and the other links in the value chain and the commercial risks and time to payback. Registrations close November 12th

Advanced programs: Strategic Business Planning for Commercialisation will be offered again in Melbourne February 21st to 25th 2005. New Product Development - the second advanced program will be offered again in Melbourne August 1st to 5th 2005.

Watch this space for information about some technology finance one day programs about to be offered in Melbourne.

Brochures for all programs are available from www.muprivate.edu.au/commercialise or contact Gemma Lane (03) 9810 3174 g.lane@muprivate.edu.au to reserve places

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11. 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:

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

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12. 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 grants. We are looking forward to helping our clients with the new Commercial Ready grant program in the near future. 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

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