Investing in Young People is the Way to Pay for Science
November 12 2002
NTEU members will have a rare opportunity to put their views on the importance of science and the critical need to invest in university based research at the annual “Science meets Parliament” Day today. Organised by FASTS, some 150 scientists will come to Canberra for one-on-one meetings with Federal Parliamentarians. NTEU, as a sponsor of the event, welcomes the opportunity to discuss the ways in which Australia can develop and foster its science capability. Central to our science future are our universities. NTEU members who come from across the country, including from regional Australia, will press for significant increases for teaching and research at our universities.
“The Government has spent money bringing back researchers from overseas. Yet we have strength in our young scientists, who bring with them a commitment to the problems of Australia today. To give them a chance to help make our future we need to foster our education systems and we need to build better career paths both in public and private sectors,” said Dr Carolyn Allport, President of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU).
“Young scientists in particular, many of whom are postgraduate students are often teaching as well as researching, and many are also beginning a family or starting a business. They need support and incentives to work, and remain, in science and technology related fields,” continued Dr Allport.
Universities play a key role in building and sustaining our science base, undertaking near 80% of all basic research performed in Australia. Without this foundation, Australia would have little capacity to build innovation through applied and strategic research.
“We have a small industry base here in Australia, and we need to build clever partnerships across both university and industry. If we want to improve the commercialisation of our research, we need to recognise the people who create the intellectual property. Ensuring appropriate career rewards, opportunities for career progression and international linkages can deliver and should be the core objective of government funding for science,” said Dr Allport.
Given the global market for employment in academic work and in science and technology related areas more particularly, it is important to build internationally competitive skills and knowledge bases. For our universities to be able to meet this challenge, the current Crossroads review will need to ensure that our universities are financially viable, and able to sustain their activities without constantly increasing student fees.
For information and comment:
Dr Carolyn Allport,
President NTEU
Ph. 0419 349 064