Innovation in research to boost Australia

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TRANSLATING Australian research success into an economic boost is the focus of a new Australian Government discussion paper, Boosting the Commercial Returns from Research, released on October 29 by the Australian Government. It is expected to stimulate more collaboration between researchers, scientists and business to help commercialise new technologies.

The government has also committed to consult on new initiatives to better capitalise on Australia’s research strengths, including possible changes to research funding to foster greater collaboration between universities and industry.

The strategy will link with the Federal Government’s Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda, which is focussed on enhancing Australia’s productivity and international competitiveness.

Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane, in a combined statement, said the government would consult with the research community and industry on creating better translation of research into commercial outcomes.

New approaches will include adjusting research funding to provide greater incentives for collaboration between research and industry.

The plan also aims to support world-class research infrastructure to attract the world’s best researchers and facilitate collaboration with industry.

Government is also keen to promote intellectual property (IP) arrangements that facilitate collaboration and commercialisation of ideas.

Mr Pyne and Mr Macfarlane are also searching for ways of ensuring training prepares researchers to work with industry and bring their ideas to market.

Part of the approach is to improve the assessment of the research system and research outcomes and their impacts.

“The government’s Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda focusses on several targeted measures to ensure Australia can create new opportunities and new jobs in global markets,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“To maximise our economic opportunities in the years ahead Australian industry must capitalise on our areas of competitive strength and we must lift our game when it comes to collaboration between business and research.

“Australia is already performing well on research excellence – more than 3.5 percent of the world’s top highly cited international research publications involve Australian researchers, up from just over 2 percent in 2006.

“But when it comes to collaboration with business our performance falls away, with fewer than 5 percent of Australian businesses turning to the research sector for new ideas or problem-solving.”

Minister Pyne said the Federal Government’s focus was to address the challenges Australia faces in turning good ideas and research breakthroughs into commercial results.

“The need for reform is clear with Australia ranking 81st out of 143 countries on the Global Innovation Index measuring how effectively we get returns from research, ideas and institutions,” Mr Pyne said.

“We rank last in the OECD on the proportion of businesses which collaborate with research institutions on innovation.

“A national strategy to create stronger links between research, science and industry is a central plank of the Government’s commitment to boost Australia’s economy, ensuring our competitiveness into the future.

“It also aligns with the government’s higher education reforms, and the efforts to realise the potential of health research and help businesses to thrive.”

NEW SCIENCE COUNCIL

As part of the Competitiveness Agenda the Federal Government is also establishing the Commonwealth Science Council as the pre-eminent body for advice on science and technology issues facing Australia

Mr Pyne said the Council would bring together leaders in Australian industry, research and government. One of its first actions will be to advise on national priorities for science and research.

The Federal Government is calling for input from the research sector and industry on the discussion paper and has invited submissions by November 28, 2014.

www.education.gov.au/current-reviews-and-consultations

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