Welcome to the sixth edition of the Smart State e-newsletter, Smart Connections, keeping you up to date with the latest Smart State news, success stories, upcoming events and initiatives.
You can also help keep us informed by letting us know if you are involved in, or know of any individuals, businesses or organisations that are engaged in innovative activities that exemplify the Smart State in action. Email: smartstate@premiers.qld.gov.au
In this edition, we take a look at our Smart State Ambassadors, recognising the achievements of some of Queensland's many outstanding citizens.
Smart State Ambassadors are high level individuals who personify the Smart State ethos and who advocate and demonstrate the principals of knowledge, creativity and innovation within their sectors and their spheres of influence. They are champions in their own field and they champion the cause of the Smart State.
The four new Smart State Ambassadors come from a variety of backgrounds, and represent excellence in education and social policy, health and scientific research, environment and sustainability, and creative industries and technology. Meet Queensland's new Ambassadors in this edition of Smart Connections or visit www.smartstate.qld.gov.au
Mr John Cox: John's Creature Workshop on the Gold Coast has become internationally acclaimed as a leader in the design and manufacture of fantasy creatures and has put Queensland's creative industries on the map for international filmmakers. Read more
Professor Ian Frazer: A true ambassador for Queensland, Ian is an inspiration to every researcher who ever set out to find a cure for cancer. Lives will be saved because of Ian Frazer's work. Women in Queensland, Australia and the world will benefit from his innovative thinking and research. Read more
Professor Ian Lowe: Ian is an internationally recognised expert on environmental issues, energy, science, technology and futures. His passionate commitment to the environmental sciences sets a great example for our young would-be scientists and future business leaders. Read more
Professor Ian O’Connor: Ian is Vice Chancellor of Griffith University and encourages further education to ensure our economy has a strong knowledge base and to further increase our knowledge-intensive industries. Read more
The four current Ambassadors are (in alphabetical order)
Queensland is creating an economy based on knowledge-intensive industries.
Participate in any number of interesting workshops, events and seminars coming up in Queensland, from specialised international conventions, to the month-long Australian Innovation Festival. Read more
Nominate now for the Smart Awards, closing on 30 March 2007.
www.smartawards.qld.gov.au
For more Smart State news, success stories, events and initiatives, visit www.smartstate.qld.gov.au.
Smart State Ambassadors are high profile champions of the Smart State, who promote the Smart State messages within their sectors and are part of an established network that provides advice on Smart State related issues and opportunities. The Ambassadors assist in progressing the Smart State vision “where knowledge, creativity and innovation drive economic growth to improve prosperity and quality of life for all Queenslanders”.
That's a big goal for Queenslanders, but one that is fast being achieved as figures from the recent Smart State Progress Report show. In 2004-05 Queensland's knowledge-intensive industries were exporting 60 per cent more than they were in 1998-99, increasing from $919 million to $1 479 million in five short years.
Creating a smarter future for Queensland is not just the role of Government, but that of every Queenslander looking to create the future they want for their families and friends and is a partnership between government and industry.
Last issue we investigated what constitutes a Smart Business.
Research and development, technology diffusion, commercialisation and entrepreneurship, collaboration, connectivity, networks and alliances, knowledge and skills, and a diverse, dynamic and creative work environment were all recognised as critical contributing factors and it could be said the Smart State Ambassadors embody these principles.
Smart State Ambassadors are just a few of the impressive Queenslanders who are advocating excellence, innovation and creativity in Queensland. Visit www.smartstate.qld.gov.au to meet all the ambassadors and to learn more about the Smart State vision.
Animatronics is the art of creating lifelike creatures using electronics. John Cox, CEO of Creature Workshop on the Gold Coast, creates unimaginable monsters for movies like Pitch Black, or realistic, lovable gorillas like those in George of the Jungle 2 and Racing Stripes (pictured).
Having received an Academy Award for his work on Babe, John Cox continues to create creatures great and small for film.
The fascinating exhibition How to Make a Monster: the art and technology of animatronics developed by John Cox's Creature Workshop, was featured at museums around the world from Australia and New Zealand, to USA, Canada and Mexico.
John Cox's Creature Workshop is internationally acclaimed as a leader in the design and manufacture of fantasy creatures, monsters and realistic animals.
As the recipient of the 2006 Kinetone Award, John Cox's Creature Workshop has significantly contributed to making Queensland highly competitive to international filmmakers looking for that edge in animatronics and special effects.
Mr Cox has designed creatures for feature films, television commercials, theme parks and museums and is recognised as one of the top names in Animatronic production.
Visit www.johncox.net.au to read more about John Cox
John spoke at the Smart State Ambassadors announcement about the value of creativity and lateral thinking in all facets of life, and across all industries. Thinking outside the box is the key to innovation.
Professor Ian Frazer, Director of the Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research, a research centre of the University of Queensland, is responsible for the development of a vaccination to prevent cervical cancer.
Among his roles, Professor Frazer also chairs the Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee, is on the board of the Queensland Cancer Fund, is Vice-President of the Cancer Council Australia, and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
Professor Frazer moved to Brisbane in 1985 to take up a teaching post with the University of Queensland where he is still lecturing in immunology to undergraduate and post graduate students of the university.
Trained as a renal physician and clinical immunologist in Edinburgh, Scotland, Professor Frazer emigrated to Melbourne in 1981 to continue his clinical training and pursue studies in viral immunology and autoimmunity at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research with Professor Ian Mackay.
His current research interests include immunoregulation, and immunotherapeutic vaccines for Papillomavirus associated cancers.
The cervical cancer vaccination developed by Professor Frazer will be available to grade 10, 11 and 12 students in Queensland high schools immunisation programs in April this year and to grade 8, 9 students in April 2008.
Prominent environmentalist, president of the Australian Conservation Foundation, member of the Environmental Health Council, and regular user of public transport, Professor Ian Lowe is an expert on environmental issues, energy, science, technology and futures, and still has time to play cricket.
Professor Ian Lowe AO is an emeritus professor at Griffith University, where he was previously Head of the School of Science.
Recognised by the Queensland Government as a "living legend", Ian is an internationally recognised expert on environmental issues, energy, science, technology and futures. He has held senior advisory roles for all three levels of government and consulted extensively for companies and peak organisations in the private sector.
Humanist of the year in 1988 and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2001 for services to science and technology, especially in the area of environmental studies. In 2002, he was awarded a Centenary Medal for contributions to environmental science and won the Eureka Prize for promotion of science. He has also been awarded the Prime Minister's Environment Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement, and the Queensland Premiers Millennium Award for Excellence in Science.
Professor Lowe is a member of the Environmental Health Council, the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council and the National Commission for UNESCO. He chairs the Queensland Government task force implementing the reform of science education, and is deputy chair of the Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Group, which advises the State government on energy innovations.
Professor Lowe has been a referee for the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, attended the Geneva and Kyoto conferences of the parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change, and was a member of the Australian delegation to the 1999 UNESCO World conference on science. He was on the steering group for the UNEP project Global Environmental Outlook, an invited participant in the 2000 workshop on Sustainability Science and a referee for both the International Geosphere-Biosphere program's 2004 book on planetary science and the UN's Millennium Assessment Report.
Professor Lowe has made countless contributions to newspapers, radio, television and periodicals and gave the ABC's Boyer lectures in 1991. He was a member of the advisory group for Brisbane's Ideas at the Powerhouse for the four years of that event, and also for the Ideas Festival held in 2006. He is a member of the board of Major Brisbane Festivals Ltd, is Vice-President of the Queensland Academy of the Arts and Sciences and President of the Australian Conservation Foundation.
His current research interests and project areas are energy use in industrialised countries; energy policy options; science and technology policy; large-scale environmental issues; sustainable development.
It's so exciting to meet people who practice what they preach! Ian walked himself in to the announcement, and walked himself home afterwards prooving that no matter how busy you are, taking the green way isn't too hard.
Professor Ian O'Connor, Vice Chancellor of Griffith University is passionate about continuing education to ensure our economy has a strong knowledge base and to further increase our knowledge-intensive industries.
Professor Ian O'Connor became the Vice Chancellor and President of Griffith University in January 2005. After joining Griffith University as the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) in July 2002, he has since taken on the challenge of overseeing the major expansion of Griffith University.
Professor O'Connor completed the degrees of Bachelor of Social Work and Doctor of Philosophy from The University of Queensland. He joined the Department of Social Work and Social Policy at The University of Queensland in 1984 rising to become Professor and Head of the School in 1995. Professor O'Connor was elected Deputy President (2000) and later President (2001) of the Academic Board, a position he held until moving to Griffith.
During his academic career Professor O'Connor has held visiting fellowships at the United Nations and Asia Far East Institute, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Professor O'Connor's research interests are in the area of juvenile justice and child welfare and the future directions of social work and the human services. His most recent books are Social Work and Welfare Practice (fourth edition with Jill Wilson and Deborah Setterlund, 2003) and Contemporary Perspectives on Social Work and the Human Services: Challenges and Change (co-edited with Jeni Warburton and Paul Smyth, 2000).
Professor O'Connor has served as a consultant to, or as a member of, various Government and non-Government bodies. Most recently he was Chair of the Ministerial Committee Monitoring the Implementation of Recommendations of the Forde Inquiry into the Abuse of Children in Institutions.
Professor O'Connor is currently a board member of the Queensland Theatre Company, a foundation board member of the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education and is director of Open Universities Australia and the Australian Universities Quality Agency.
Continuing education is critical in maintaining a strong knowledge-based economy. Students no longer expect to finish high school, get a degree and get a job, but are expected to change careers numerous times and continously upskill.
Professor Glyn Davis AC was announced in 2004 as the inaugural Smart State Ambassador for his outstanding contribution to Queensland, the Smart State. He is currently President of the group of Eight, representing Australia's leading research universities, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne. Read more
Professor Peter Andrews AO, Queensland Chief Scientist since 2003, has been the face of Queensland's science, research and innovation community. He is passionate about building a strong knowledge economy for Queensland that will create jobs for the future. Read more
Two-time Fulbright Scholar recipient, Professor Peter Coaldrake, has been Vice Chancellor of QUT since 2003. During this time, QUT has worked closely with the Queensland Government to accelerate the growth of Queensland's research capacity and performance in the creative industries, health and biomedical innovation, infrastructure and information security. Read more
Professor John Hay AC, has been Vice-Chancellor of University of Queensland since 1996. During this time he has led the development of new research facilities that are a crucial part of Queensland's Smart State infrastructure including the Queensland Biosciences Precinct, Institute of Molecular Bioscience, Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Queensland Brain Institute, Sustainable Minerals Institute and Clinical Research Institute. Read more
Queensland is creating an economy based on knowledge-intensive industries.
the importance of continuously educating themselves and thinking creatively.
Professor Frazer said some employees in industries such as health already have a necessity to continuously educate themselves to keep up to date with current medical research. This will become standard across many industries in the future.
Professor Lowe said knowledge-based industries are a renewable and sustainable resource that we can rely on well into the future. Education and research are investments in our future, and arguably the best possible investment in having a sustainable future.
Professor O'Connor said long term investment is what will keep our economy booming and the uptake of students in tertiary education, specifically universities is critical to maintaining an economy based on knowledge-intensive industries.
Mr Cox said current students have no limits and their future and careers are only restricted by their imagination. Lateral thinking is a key technique for presenting alternative solutions, and finding creative ways forward.
12-15 April: Queensland Vision 2007
This convention features four days of outstanding professional development for optometrists, delivered by some of the world's best optometric educators.
www.optomsqld.com
26 April-27 May: Australian Innovation Festival
The Australian Innovation Festival is a national showcase of events and activities increasing public awareness of the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship. The theme of the 2007 Australian Innovation Festival "Building clusters of innovation" will link the 4c's of innovation - Creativity, Connections, Collaboration and Commercialisation.
www.ausinnovation.org
3-4 May: Brisbane Council for Sustainable Energy National Conference
Bring yourself up-to-date with the latest industry developments and government policies from home, interstate and overseas.
www.bcse.org.au/default.asp?id=50&articleid=311
6-9 May: 4th Indo-Australian Biotechnology Conference
This is the first Indo-Australian Biotechnology Conference to be held outside of India. Themed "Genes and the Environment in Human Disease" this conference will be held in Cairns in 2007.
www.iabc2007.qimr.edu.au
1-6 June: International Conference on Wind Engineering
The conference promotes and facilities the cooperation and exchange of ideas among researches and engineers worldwide in wind engineering and related fields of study.
www.awes.org/icwe12
For more Smart State news, success stories, events and initiatives, visit www.smartstate.qld.gov.au.