Published Wednesday, 21 March, 2007 at 05:00 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
PREMIER BEATTIE ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL WATER CENTRE OFFICE FOR SOUTH AFRICA
JOHANNESBURG: Queensland’s growing international status for managing water resources received another boost today when Premier Peter Beattie announced the Brisbane-based International Water Centre (IWC) would establish an office in Johannesburg.
Mr Beattie announced the new office during an address to South African business leaders at a business lunch hosted jointly by the Queensland Government, the Australian High Commission and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
The IWC is supported by the Queensland Government and is a joint venture of the University of Queensland, Griffith University, Monash University, the University of Western Australia, the Moreton Bay Catchment Partnership and the International River Foundation. The International Water Centre’s Mark Pascoe accompanied the Premier on the trade mission to South Africa.
“The IWC’s mission is to provide quality skills, services and products for managing the world’s water resources, waterways and catchments,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Brisbane office acts as the facilitator, coordinator and project manager for the joint venture.
"In December I announced the IWC would be running a Masters Program for Integrated Water Management which will make Brisbane a focal point for training and expertise in water resource management. In addition, three new water management courses will be offered from July. South African students will now be able to enrol in these courses or participate in courses that the IWC will develop in collaboration with Monash University here in Johannesburg."
Mr Beattie said the IWC would allocate significant resources to water research in South Africa and its office in Johannesburg, situated with the Monash University campus there, would develop services in education, training and applied research.
“The management of the world’s water resources, waterways and catchments has become one of the most critical issues of the 21st Century. The IWC expects a lot of interest in its courses from Australian and international students,” Mr Beattie said.
The Premier also announced the Queensland Government would contribute A$10,000 towards funding a postgraduate student scholarship exchange through the International Water Centre which has its headquarters at the University of Queensland in Brisbane.
The scholarship would allow a PhD student from the University of KwaZulu-Natal to undertake water-related research for 6 to 12 months.
Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
21 March 2007
Mr Beattie announced the new office during an address to South African business leaders at a business lunch hosted jointly by the Queensland Government, the Australian High Commission and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
The IWC is supported by the Queensland Government and is a joint venture of the University of Queensland, Griffith University, Monash University, the University of Western Australia, the Moreton Bay Catchment Partnership and the International River Foundation. The International Water Centre’s Mark Pascoe accompanied the Premier on the trade mission to South Africa.
“The IWC’s mission is to provide quality skills, services and products for managing the world’s water resources, waterways and catchments,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Brisbane office acts as the facilitator, coordinator and project manager for the joint venture.
"In December I announced the IWC would be running a Masters Program for Integrated Water Management which will make Brisbane a focal point for training and expertise in water resource management. In addition, three new water management courses will be offered from July. South African students will now be able to enrol in these courses or participate in courses that the IWC will develop in collaboration with Monash University here in Johannesburg."
Mr Beattie said the IWC would allocate significant resources to water research in South Africa and its office in Johannesburg, situated with the Monash University campus there, would develop services in education, training and applied research.
“The management of the world’s water resources, waterways and catchments has become one of the most critical issues of the 21st Century. The IWC expects a lot of interest in its courses from Australian and international students,” Mr Beattie said.
The Premier also announced the Queensland Government would contribute A$10,000 towards funding a postgraduate student scholarship exchange through the International Water Centre which has its headquarters at the University of Queensland in Brisbane.
The scholarship would allow a PhD student from the University of KwaZulu-Natal to undertake water-related research for 6 to 12 months.
Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
21 March 2007