The Group of Eight (Go8), Australia’s group of leading research intensive universities welcomes the Government’s positive response to “The Review of Research Policy and Funding Arrangements” carried out by Dr Ian Watt.
“The Watt Review has made pertinent suggestions regarding the future of research funding and it is a positive step that the Government has been willing to endorse them,” says Vicki Thomson, Chief Executive of the Go8.
“Now we have the Government’s endorsement, we can begin to work through the detail regarding implementation. There are a number of recommendations we will need to further consult on, and that is to be expected,” she said.
“The Go8 has always maintained that basic and applied research are symbiotic and this will be ensured with further consultation around the detail of the Watt recommendations.”
Ms Thomson said the Go8 was keen to further develop its linkages with business and currently receives 66 per cent of all research funding from industry to universities, almost twice the rest of the sector combined.
This Go8 lead in the business collaboration space has been reaffirmed by Australian Research Council (ARC) funding results announced by Education and Training Minister, Senator Simon Minister Birmingham today.
The Go8 secured 62% of ARC business collaboration Linkage Projects and 63% of ARC funding. In addition, the Go8 also secured four of the five announced Industrial Transformation Research Hubs which engage Australia’s best researchers in issues facing the new industrial economies and training the future workforce.
Media Contact: Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson 0417808472