Media release COSMOS co-founder named president of academy Alan Finkel, the co-founder of COSMOS, will be the next President of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE). Credit: Melissa Di Ciero/Monash University Alan Finkel , a prominent Australian engineer, entrepreneur and co-founder of COSMOS, will be the next President of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE). Finkel, Chancellor of Monash University, will take up his new role on 1 January 2013, succeeding former Australian Chief Scientist Professor Robin Batterham, who completes his term at the end of 2012. Finkel will lead the ATSE Fellowship of more than 830 members -- one of the nation's four learned academies -- with a strong focus on achieving improved public discussion and policy on key national issues where applied science and technology offer solutions. Finkel, a former member of the Academy Board, will rejoin the board and become its chair from 2013. He was elected by the Academy's Assembly, which represents the broad Academy Fellowship and includes the Board and leaders of ATSE's divisions and topic forums. Batterham, announcing Finkel's election, said it had been a great privilege to serve in the role. "Alan Finkel will do a wonderful job as President of the Academy and will bring a range of skills, experience and commitment that will enhance its activities and its impact," Professor Batterham said. "His commitment to education -- which he backs with strong personal involvement -- has been the key to developing our own STELR program