October 31, 2003
Three of the State's universities and the
Western
Australia
Department of Agriculture have determined the key guiding principles for the
development of a $90 million dollar integrated agricultural
research institute for
Western
Australia.
A steering committee with nominees from the five partners,
the Department, Curtin and
Murdoch
Universities, the University of Western Australia and the Grains
Research and Development Corporation, has outlined the way
forward for the Institute.
Committee Chairman and
Western
Australia
Chief Scientist Bruce Hobbs said
he was delighted with the high level of priority and commitment
being given to the project.
"The partners have agreed the Institute will be established
as an incorporated joint venture with scope to potentially
include other related organisations," Dr Hobbs said.
The partners are also committed to ensuring that the
Institute meets the needs of the State and stakeholders through
the coordination and integration of research, teaching and
extension.
Post-graduate teaching will be supported within the
Institute with undergraduate teaching being supported by
Institute staff, but managed by the Universities using
University facilities.
Dr Hobbs said the Institute’s structure and influence would
enable global capability and recognition, thus increasing
international awareness of
Western Australia’s
capabilities and investment opportunities.
He said the Institute would generate the critical mass
required for the State to attract major research funding
initiatives on a scale not achievable by the partners acting
individually.
The Committee is still considering issues related to
ownership, employment conditions, the range of disciplines,
integration of laboratories and research stations, and how best
to communicate the Institute’s research products to industry.
The Committee is confident it will meet its February
deadline to report its recommendations to Government, with the
first phase of the new Institute to be operational by 1 July
next year. |