Published Friday, 16 November, 2007 at 09:56 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Government grant helps JCU take its research to market
New Queensland Government funding will help researchers at James Cook University’s Cairns campus to fast-track their research wins into commercial success, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle says.
Ms Boyle, also the Member for Cairns, said the $412,500 grant would be paid over three years and matched by the university to establish a Manager of Innovation and Commercial Development for the university’s Cairns and Townsville campuses.
“The Commercialisation Manager will identify which research projects have the most potential to be developed into products and then package up the research so it will appeal to investors,” Ms Boyle said.
“Having a dedicated person could cut up to 18 months off the time it would normally take the university to find commercial partners for its research projects.
“In the longer term, it will generate increased economic returns for JCU, the region, and the State.”
Ms Boyle said JCU would match the Government’s contribution for this project.
Professor Paul Gadek, from JCU’s Cairns campus, said the uptake and delivery of research would be enhanced by this new position.
He also said the university’s research projects could reach the commercial market up to 18 months earlier with this assistance.
“There is a lot of research with so much potential that doesn’t get out into the commercial world,” Prof. Gadek said.
“This position will markedly shorten the time it takes for the university to match up research with potential commercial and industry partners.
“And it will enable us to ensure research conducted in the region will be developed to benefit the region.”
Ms Boyle said JCU was leading the way in tropical expertise, with a vision to be one of the world’s foremost tropical research universities.
JCU Cairns is home to some of Australia’s top tropical research centres including the soon to be completed Australian Tropical Forest Institute (ATFI).
In 2002, the Queensland Government provided more than $7 million funding, under the Smart State Research Facilities Fund, for the construction of ATFI.
Prof. Gadek said ATFI would enhance the university’s growing reputation as a research and development ‘hub’ for tropical science.
“The Cairns campus is only about 10 years old, but we’re fast developing a strong skills base and we’re working on projects that will have enormous potential, both for Australia and other tropical areas,” Prof. Gadek said.
“We have a tremendous advantage being located in the tropics, particularly with the ability to develop ways of making sure development is ecologically, as well as economically, sustainable.
“We expect there’ll be significant research flowing from the university in the future that will have various commercial applications,” he said.
Since 1998, the Queensland Government has invested over $40 million to progress tropical science and innovation.
Ends
Media contacts:
Minister Boyle 3224 2004
Prof. Paul Gadek 4042 1530
16 November 2007
Ms Boyle, also the Member for Cairns, said the $412,500 grant would be paid over three years and matched by the university to establish a Manager of Innovation and Commercial Development for the university’s Cairns and Townsville campuses.
“The Commercialisation Manager will identify which research projects have the most potential to be developed into products and then package up the research so it will appeal to investors,” Ms Boyle said.
“Having a dedicated person could cut up to 18 months off the time it would normally take the university to find commercial partners for its research projects.
“In the longer term, it will generate increased economic returns for JCU, the region, and the State.”
Ms Boyle said JCU would match the Government’s contribution for this project.
Professor Paul Gadek, from JCU’s Cairns campus, said the uptake and delivery of research would be enhanced by this new position.
He also said the university’s research projects could reach the commercial market up to 18 months earlier with this assistance.
“There is a lot of research with so much potential that doesn’t get out into the commercial world,” Prof. Gadek said.
“This position will markedly shorten the time it takes for the university to match up research with potential commercial and industry partners.
“And it will enable us to ensure research conducted in the region will be developed to benefit the region.”
Ms Boyle said JCU was leading the way in tropical expertise, with a vision to be one of the world’s foremost tropical research universities.
JCU Cairns is home to some of Australia’s top tropical research centres including the soon to be completed Australian Tropical Forest Institute (ATFI).
In 2002, the Queensland Government provided more than $7 million funding, under the Smart State Research Facilities Fund, for the construction of ATFI.
Prof. Gadek said ATFI would enhance the university’s growing reputation as a research and development ‘hub’ for tropical science.
“The Cairns campus is only about 10 years old, but we’re fast developing a strong skills base and we’re working on projects that will have enormous potential, both for Australia and other tropical areas,” Prof. Gadek said.
“We have a tremendous advantage being located in the tropics, particularly with the ability to develop ways of making sure development is ecologically, as well as economically, sustainable.
“We expect there’ll be significant research flowing from the university in the future that will have various commercial applications,” he said.
Since 1998, the Queensland Government has invested over $40 million to progress tropical science and innovation.
Ends
Media contacts:
Minister Boyle 3224 2004
Prof. Paul Gadek 4042 1530
16 November 2007