The future economic prosperity of our nation depends upon education and upon research. This is a truth that is little understood in government or industry. But it is nevertheless a harsh reality we all must face. Education provides the pool of scientists and engineers from which we draw the next generation of innovation and it is innovation which fuels our economic growth.
Research is the other vital part of that process.
Research is a fundamental component of the advanced training of science and engineering postgraduates. It should also be a fundamental part of the science education of our primary and secondary school students as well as undergraduates but that is a topic for another day. Education, research and technology based industries - that should be the focus of Australian national policy. The last Budget was not kind to many people, least of all the Higher Education sector. This does not include the failure of the government to provide supplementation for academic salary increases which will have a very significant effect on university operating budgets as well as on the desirability of an academic career given the relative decline in academic salaries.