UQ figures in collaborative R&D awards
University of Queensland research centres and their industry partners this month won three of six 1999 awards for outstanding achievement in collaborative R&D made by the Business/Higher Education Round Table (BHERT).
Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, Senator Nick Minchin announced the awards at a November 18 ceremony at the Sydney Intercontinental Hotel.
BHERT is a forum where leaders of Australia's business, research and academic communities can examine issues of mutual interest; improve interaction between Australian business and higher education institutions; and guide the future directions of higher education. Its membership comprises, by invitation, chief executives of major Australian corporations, research organisations, and vice-chancellors of Australian universities.
o The University's Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research (headed by Professor Ian Frazer) and CSL won the section: Turnover more than $50 million per annum and project/program more than three years in train. CICR and CSL are collaborating on a project to develop an innovative vaccine technology for preventing and treating papillomavirus infection, the cause of cervical cancer. The technology is undergoing clinical trials in the United States.
o The University's Centre for Magnetic Resonance (headed by Professor David Doddrell) and Bruker Analytik won an award for outstanding achievement in international collaborative R&D. The award was for a project: advanced magnetic resonance technology - manufacture and development of nuclear magnetic resonance equipment. The Centre has successfully developed a series of probes and gradients that can be used in Bruker magnets for research. The instruments are manufactured in their engineering workshop and distributed worldwide through Bruker Analytik.
o The AJ Parker Cooperative Research Centre for Hydrometallurgy, of which the University of Queensland is a partner, won the section for outstanding achievement in collaborative R&D involving a CRC. The project is conducting cooperative research into the optimisation of hydrometallurgical processing of Australian alumina, gold and nickel. The CRC is carrying out significant research in hydrometallurgy, transferring the results to industry; training researchers in hydrometallurgy and providing relevant in-service training.
Criteria for evaluation for the awards included innovation, strength of the relationship between collaborating partners, outreach inclusion, national benefits, and cultural impact on the partner/organisation.
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