Inaugural AMSI Director steps down
On July 31st this year Garth Gaudry’s term as Director of AMSI came to an end. At theinception of AMSI in 2002 Garth took up the position in of Interim Deputy Director. Hebecame Interim Director in 2003, succeeding Tony Guttmann who had become Directorof the new ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematics and Statistics of Complex systems(MASCOS), and became inaugural Director from August 2003. During Garth’s stewardshipthe membership has grown hugely to its present level of 28 institutions and organisations.
AMSI itself has grown currently employing 12 people directly or through ICE-EM. Garth has
steered AMSI through this establishment phase with style and authority and the Instituteis now a significant force in the Australian mathematical sciences scene.
Winning the International Centre of Excellence for Education in Mathematics was a major
triumph for AMSI and for Garth personally. ICE-EM programs are now delivering benefit
to members in the form of the annual Summer and Graduate Schools, vacation scholarships,
career promotions and the Access Grid Room project. Particularly close to Garth’s heart isthe ICE-EM School Project. The invitation to secondary schools to participate in the Year
7 pilot program attracted 300 schools, a clear indication of both the quality of the project
and the demand for a new generation of teaching materials.
Another feature of Garth’s directorship has been his work with Jan Thomas (Executive
Officer of both AMSI and the Society) in Canberra. The discipline has a growing presence
and influence through their efforts. AMSI, as a strong national and collaborative institute,has become part of the profile of the mathematical sciences, distinguishing us from otherscience disciplines. Garth’s professional stature and rigorous style have been essential tothis growth.
Garth wouldn’t be happy if I gave you the impression that AMSI’s successes over thelast three years were entirely of his doing. Members of the AMSI Advisory Committees, theAMSI Board, AMSI member institutions, AMSI and ICE-EM staff, along with our partnership with MASCOS, are all responsible for our progress. However, Garth’s clear vision forAMSI has been crucial and the entire organisation thanks him for his services.
Geoff Prince
Executive Director AMSIOther news• Prof. Philip Broadbridge took up the position of AMSI Director on 24 August.
• After a period of Director of both AMSI and ICE-EM, Prof. Garth Gaudry has accepted the position of Director of ICE-EM, effective from 1 August 2005. AMSI is286

News

particularly pleased that Garth has continued as Director of ICE-EM ensuring that theclear directions of the Centre will be sustained.
• The AMSI/MASCOS Industry Forum in Sydney on 21 July attracted approximately
100 participants. We were particularly pleased with the speech from the Hon. Ian
Macfarlane MP and the transcript can be obtained from http://www.amsi.com.au.
The next Industry Forum will be in early March with a theme of health.
• The Canadian Consul General hosted a reception for Prof. Arvind Gupta from theCanadian MITACS network on the evening preceding the Forum. At the reception aMemorandum of Understanding was signed between AMSI, MASCOS and MITACS andAMSI will be vigorously pursuing the opportunities this represents.
• The ICE-EM Graduate School was held at the University of Queensland in July andattracted 60 postgraduates. Excellent reports have been received so keep an eye out fornext year’s program.