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Australian Chief Scientist Jim Peacock says collaboration and partnerships will continue to play a major role in the future direction of Australia's Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs). Dr Peacock said the highly successful CRC Programme established in 1990 brought together leading researchers in industry, universities and government. "The building of long term partnerships between researchers, industry and government will continue to be important into the future,†Dr Peacock said Collaborative research partnerships provide one of the most effective ways of generating economic, social and environmental benefits, as well as building capacity of Australian science.†Dr Peacock, who is recognised as an outstanding scientist with a record of academic excellence in plant molecular biology and its application to agriculture, said that an emphasis needs to be kept on fundamental research as well as the more applied research within the CRC Programme. “It is the fundamental research of today that provides building blocks to undertake the applied research of tomorrow,†he said. Dr Peacock was appointed Chief Scientist in March 2006. A fervent science advocate, he was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia in 1994 for outstanding service to science. In 2000, he received the inaugural Prime Minister's Science Prize for co-discovering the ‘Flowering Switch Gene’. A key gene that determines when a plant ends its vegetative growth and begins to flower - this discovery could boost the productivity and nutritional value of the world's crops, particularly in developing countries. He established the Gene Shears biotechnology company and the GrainGene Initiative and has played a key role in the establishment of cotton as Australia’s first major biotech crop. He is a strong advocate of science, global business and communication that benefits research and scientific knowledge to the wider public, particularly Australian schools. Media are encouraged to attend the Conference free of charge. Dr Peacock will give his presentation on Friday, 18 May at 9.50am. A podcast of Dr Peacock’s presentation will be available for download from http://www.crca.asn.au/conference/ Media contact:Greg Lawrence |
