CSIRO and University of Tasmania build technology strength for Tasmania

By February 13th, 2007

CSIRO and the University of Tasmania today signed a significant agreement to develop the research leaders of tomorrow.

Announcing a new joint PhD program, Chief Executive of the CSIRO Tasmanian ICT Centre, Dr Stephen Giugni said that the scheme will boost the growth of Tasmania’s research knowledge bank.

“Having established our Tasmanian ICT Centre in late 2006, CSIRO is now forging ahead with our research agenda and with building important relationships and programs to support innovation in Tasmania,” Dr Giugni says.

Under the program, 10 PhD students will be jointly supervised by CSIRO and University of Tasmania researchers.  Students in the scheme will be eligible either for full scholarships or top-ups to complement existing awards.

“The scheme will invest over half a million dollars in developing future research leaders for Tasmania over its five-year life,” Dr Giugni says.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Tasmania, Professor Daryl Le Grew, said that the relationship between CSIRO and UTAS was a vibrant one.

“In Tasmania’s intense research environment, collaboration is key. We look forward to a continuing fruitful partnership with the new Tasmanian ICT centre and with CSIRO as an organisation,” Professor Le Grew says.

“This PhD program is a way of supporting and nurturing innovative research in our State. “

The Centre has grown to 14 staff members since its formation in September last year and is continuing to employ highly qualified researchers with a target of 30 by mid-2007.

“Dr Giugni said that the Centre is building strong capabilities in sensor networks, signal and image processing, data management and robotics based on the existing capability base in CSIRO in these areas.”

The Tasmanian ICT Centre also reached another milestone in its rapid development today with the inaugural meeting of its Research Investment Advisory Committee (RIAC).

“The Research Investment Advisory Committee is a vital link to Tasmanian industry, government and academia and its role is to advise on the most effective ways of ensuring our research agenda delivers solutions to benefit Tasmania and the nation,” Dr Giugni says.

Before today’s meeting a broader group of representatives of Tasmanian government, industry, academia and the community visited the Centre to hear about its progress from Dr Giugni.

Dr Giugni said that the Centre is building strong capabilities in sensor networks, signal and image processing, data management and robotics based on the existing capability base in CSIRO in these areas.

“We will be developing ways of delivering health information more effectively to consumers; of using sensors and robotics to managing our land and water resources for sustainable community, industry and recreational use; and of improving efficiency in energy use,” Dr Giugni says.

The Tasmanian ICT Centre is jointly funded by the Australian Government through the Intelligent Island Program and the CSIRO. The Intelligent Island Program is administered by the Tasmanian Department of Economic Development.

Media are welcome to attend the signing ceremony today (Tuesday 13 February) at 11:45am at the Tasmanian ICT Centre, CSIRO, Castray Esplanade, Hobart. Please call Therese Dowling on 03 6232 5551 or Elizabeth Bailes on 03 6226 2124 or 0417 517 291 to confirm attendance.

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