Postdoctoral Programs

Research training in Australia - public hearing in Brisbane

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Innovation will conduct its fifth interstate public hearing for its research training inquiry in Brisbane on Monday, 18 August.

“This inquiry focuses on the adequacy and effectiveness of current research training schemes, the factors that determine whether new graduates pursue a career in research, and the opportunities for career advancement for research graduates and staff,” said Committee Chair Maria Vamvakinou.

STANDING COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
PROGRAM: Perth Public Hearings

Tuesday 12 August 2008
9.00 am to 2.00 pm
Room 1, Level 1, Legislative Assembly, 11 Harvest St, Perth

9.00 – 9.45 Professor Su Lloyd

9.45 – 10.30 Institute Postdoctoral Researchers Association at the
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in Western Australia

10.45 – 12.15 Roundtable:

    * Curtin University of Technology
    * Edith Cowan University

On 13 March 2008, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, announced a major review of Australia’s higher education system which will examine and report on the future direction of the higher education sector, its fitness for purpose in meeting the needs of the Australian community and economy and the options for ongoing reform. [From the DEEWR website]

G08 MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 29 July 2008

Group of Eight signs Human Capital Agreement with Chile

The Group of Eight universities will sign an Agreement with the Republic of Chile in Sydney today to allow up to 500 postgraduate students to study in Australia each year.

The Go8 Agreement complements the Free Trade Agreement to be signed by the Australian and Chilean Governments in Canberra on Wednesday 30 July.

The students will be supported by the new US$600million Chilean Bicentennial Scholarship Fund for Human Capital Development.

The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, today announced his intention to introduce new public funding arrangements that will create additional opportunities for Indigenous Australians pursuing academic
research careers.

“The Australian Government is committed to enhancing support for Indigenous researchers and research to ensure that all talented Australian academics are given a fair go and that all Australians have the opportunity to benefit from their
endeavours,” Senator Carr said.

On the 4th of June 2008 Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, announced the release of the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative consultation paper.

Administered by Australian Research Council (ARC), the Consultation Paper was the first formal step in communicating with the sector regarding the ERA initiative (it is worth noting that the ERA is being administered by the ARC, whereas its predecessor, the Research Quality Framework (RQF), was administered by the (then) Department of Education, Science and Training(then DEST, now DEEWR)).

the Australian Research Council (ARC) has released the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative Consultation Paper.

The Consultation Paper is the first formal step in communicating with the sector regarding ERA and the ARC looks forward to your contribution to this consultation process (it is worth noting that the ERA initiative is being administered by the ARC, whereas its predecessor, the RQF, was administered by DEST).

On 23 April 2008 the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, asked the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Innovation to undertake an inquiry into research training and research workforce issues in Australian universities. The Committee invited interested persons and organisations to make submissions addressing the terms of reference by Friday 30 May 2008.

UNIVERSITIES are facing Treasurer Wayne Swan's first federal budget amid fears the Government either does not understand the gravity of their situation or thinks it has snowed the sector with a blizzard of reviews and inquiries.

Expectations of the budget are low, other than for the fulfilment of election promises. And there is disquiet that legitimate delays in reform caused by the Government's various inquiries into the sector could leave them out in the cold once again.

The House of Representatives Industry, Science and Innovation Committee has announced an inquiry into the contribution that Australian universities make to Australian research training, and the challenges those universities face in recruiting, training and retaining quality research staff.