February 1, 2022
IRU welcomes government’s $2.2bn commitment to research commercialisation
The Innovative Research Universities (IRU) welcomes today’s commitment by the Australian Government to invest $2.2 billion in university research commercialisation, as announced by the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP.
With eight member universities across all mainland States and Territories, the IRU plays a key role in translating new knowledge into practical outcomes for the benefit of Australian communities. As research-intensive universities, the IRU also trains graduates for the high-skill jobs of the future.
IRU Chair and Griffith University Vice-Chancellor Professor Carolyn Evans welcomed the announcement.
“This significant announcement from the Prime Minister today puts Australia’s research universities at the heart of the post-COVID recovery and the strategy for the nation’s economic future”, she said.
“Over the last decade, our eight universities have dramatically increased their research collaboration with industry, and have developed new internship programs and forms of industry training for PhD students. The ten-year commitment by the government to new industry-focused PhDs and fellowships will provide important additional support to the education and training of the next generation of high-skilled workers in the Australian economy.”
IRU Executive Director Paul Harris said that universities are ready to work closely with government on the implementation of the new programs announced by the Prime Minister today.
“There are huge opportunities for Australia across the six priority industry areas announced by the government, and the most successful innovation will draw upon the widest possible range of academic disciplines. We look forward to seeing the details of these new programs and supporting their implementation,” he said.
“The Prime Minister’s commitment today to ‘finding the right balance’ in critical areas of policy bodes well for the future of Australian innovation, with support for research commercialisation and translation underpinned by a world-leading basic research system, providing new ideas and skills for the future.”
