Celebrate Queensland Science During National Science Week

Science and Innovation Minister Leeanne Enoch is calling on all Queenslanders to celebrate and support National Science Week (15-23 August).

“National Science Week is a chance to discover more about the achievements in Queensland science and the contributions our scientists are making to improving our lives and helping solve global challenges,” Ms Enoch said.

Ms Enoch said Queensland had a deep pool of local research talent, and the newly announced Advance Queensland PhD Scholarships program would help maintain that pool into the future, supporting undergraduates to gain a research PhD degree.

“This program provides top-up funding of up to $45,000 over three years for scholars to undertake an applied PhD research project,” she said.

“This will lay the foundations for dozens of future research careers in Queensland, encouraging increased linkages and closer collaborations with industry and other end-user organisations to support innovative, practical applied research.”

Ms Enoch said the scholarships formed part of the complete $180 million Advance Queensland initiative, which will deliver jobs now and jobs for the future through a focus on investment in science and innovation.

“This comprehensive suite of programs aims to create the knowledge-based jobs of the future, drive productivity improvements and build on our natural advantages,” Ms Enoch said.

“It will build Queensland’s reputation and capacity to conduct innovative research and development and more importantly to translate ideas into real outcomes through co-investment between government and business.

“In particular, the $50 million Best and Brightest Fund will develop, attract and retain world class talent through a range of fellowships and scholarships at our research institutions with a specific focus on women, Indigenous researchers and regional locations.

“We are also looking at innovation partnerships to support collaborative research and development projects in priority areas such as agriculture, engineering, climate change, clean energy, bio-technology and advanced manufacturing.

Ms Enoch said Queenslanders should be proud of their scientists who are achieving breakthroughs of global significance.

“For example researchers from the Queensland Brain Institute at the University of Queensland have developed a drug-free approach to treat Alzheimer’s disease and restore memory loss – holding up hope for a new way to combat the disease,” she said.

“University of Queensland researchers recently developed a world-first vaccine-style therapeutic approach to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

“While scientists from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, in collaboration with colleagues from Cambridge University, have identified 15 new gene regions which increase the risk of breast cancer, helping to improve the diagnosis of the disease.”

Minister Enoch urged Queenslanders to follow on social media to learn more about the rising stars of Queensland science during National Science Week. To find out more about Advance Queensland go to qld.gov.au/advanceqld and National Science Week visit www.scienceweek.net.au.

[ENDS]

Monday 17 August 2015

Media Contacts:      Tim Shipstone – 3719 7281, 0419 246 157

                               Daniel Lato – 3719 7279, 0438 830 201