AsianScientist (Oct. 17, 2011) – Australia will be at the forefront of world efforts to tackle a range of global problems – from managing natural disasters to harnessing the power of biotechnology – thanks to a new IBM R&D laboratory that was launched in Melbourne on Friday last week.
Launching the research and development lab, Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr and the Premier of Victoria, Ted Baillieu, agreed the lab was another major win for ICT R&D in Australia.
The Commonwealth Government has provided AUD$22 million to support the lab, which will apply advanced computing to work towards better management of natural resources, diseases, and agricultural yields.
“This is a first-class research facility that will enhance Australia’s strong research base and attract the best people from Australia and around the world,” Senator Carr said.
“I’m pleased that IBM has already started assembling a world-class team, both from local and international research talent. It will give post-graduate students opportunities to experience research at a world level.”
Together with partners at the University of Melbourne, the IBM lab will focus on frontier technologies to help build and transform Australian industries, and employ about 150 researchers over the next five years.
Senator Carr said the Gillard Labor Government is particularly pleased that the rollout of the world-class National Broadband Network – which will provide the lab’s research with high-speed transfer of real time data – was one of the reasons that IBM was attracted to Australia.
Calling it a “strategic win for Australia,” he said that the IBM lab sets a new model for public-private collaborative research which is central to Australia’s innovation agenda.
“This is a strategic win for Australia and recognition that Australia is able to compete for global investment opportunities and help create high-skill, high-wage, sustainable jobs for the future,” Senator Carr said.
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Source: Ministry for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Australia.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
