The University of Queensland is one of six universities to be awarded funding in the priority project round of the Federal Government's first-ever Australian Maths and Science Partnerships Program (AMSPP).
UQ was awarded $500,000 for the upcoming International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), to be hosted for the first time in Australia at the University's St Lucia campus in Brisbane.
UQ President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj said the University was delighted with the outcome of the AMSPP priority project round, aimed at improving student engagement in maths and science.
"Hosting the IOI is a wonderful opportunity to promote informatics as an essential component of science, technology and maths education in Australia," Professor Høj said.
"The IOI will bring some of the best young talents in their field to the country to compete in this event.
"The competition will be intense, but the experience will be rewarding for all."
Jointly organised by UQ and the Australian Mathematics Trust (AMT), this year's IOI will be held from July 6 to 13 and will welcome participants from more than 80 countries to compete in the event.
Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Head of UQ's School of Mathematics and Physics, said the IOI was also an opportunity to improve informatics teaching skills.
"During IOI 2013, we will hold a one-day program for secondary school maths, science and technology teachers to discuss improvements to teaching informatics in high school," Professor Rubinsztein-Dunlop said.
"UQ is committed to boosting the number of science and maths graduates in Australia in the years to come and the Olympiad presents an excellent opportunity to promote informatics."
The AMSPP grants aim to help improve student engagement in maths and science courses through partnerships between universities, schools, and other relevant organisations.
More information about the AMSPP grants is available here: http://minister.innovation.gov.au/sharonbird/MediaReleases/Pages/Grants-to-boost-science-and-maths-graduates--.aspx
Further information on IOI 2013 is available here: http://www.ioi2013.org
Media: Aarti Kapoor, SMP Communications & Marketing Officer, +61 4 4986 3208, a.kapoor@uq.edu.au
Chris Shannon, SMP School Manager, +61 7 3365 3272 or chris.shannon@uq.edu.au
.png?itok=WyIBAuTQ "University of Queensland Agricultural Science student Sophia Wilson, and recent graduate Salomon Sayago Mejia, welcome visitors to the Gatton Open Day 2022.")
