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CSIRO Media Release |
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| Ms Rosie Schmedding | (02) 6276-6520 | |||
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15 September 1998 |
Ref 98/217 |
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Some of Australia's most successful high-tech commercialisers will play a star role in the nation's premier science and technology forum, Manufesto '98.
The event, which takes place in Melbourne next week, will focus on commercialisation of Australia's innovations and provide a showcase for some of our most exciting new high-technologies.
"Australia is emerging as a world leader in many fields of high-technology. Manufesto is about making the most of the opportunities and turning our research into jobs for Australians," says CSIRO Deputy Chief Executive, Dr Bob Frater.
"Australian research is excellent. Our performance in terms of development is also excellent by world standards. However our track record in moving it to the market place is an area that we need to improve," he says.
Manufesto '98 brings people from the public sector research and development areas -- CSIRO, the universities and the CRCs -- together with people from industry, finance and the business sector.
The forum will showcase ways to take successful innovations to the world market. It will focus on aspects of commercialising research, collaborative R&D, technology management, accessing and managing venture capital, and how to start technology based companies. The last day will feature a practical commercialisation workshop.
"We will be hearing from people who have already succeeded. This will give others the chance to see what path they took, and to find out what the opportunities and pitfalls are," says Dr Frater.
One of the key speakers at Manufesto will be Dr Peter Farrell, Chief Executive Officer of ResMed Inc, who will share the benefit of his experience with other Australian high tech companies.
ResMed was founded in Sydney in 1989 and is now a global company with an annual turnover of US$66.5 million. It sells devices that help people with sleep apnea and related respiratory disorders.
"We are delighted to have Dr Peter Farrell among our speakers. Dr Farrell has done a fantastic job with the company ResMed, which is an inspiration to Australian business," Dr Frater says.
Other speakers include:
- David Hogg, president of the High Performance Manufacturing Consortium of Canada. The consortium consists of 18 diverse companies, representing over 7000 employees and whose total sales exceed Can$6 billion. Mr Hogg will be talking about the Canadian experience in improving company performance;
- Leo Hyde, R&D Manager for Dupont Australia and president of the Australian Industrial Research Group, will speak about research and development from an industry perspective;
- Ray McFarlane, Managing Director of Scottish Enterprises, will talk about how Scotland encouraged innovation; and
- Professor Vicki Sara who will discuss the role of the Australian Research Council as a catalyst and broker in matching the needs of industry to the excellence of Australian research.
"We want Manufesto to provide a forum for industry and researchers to improve their understanding of each others' needs. It is intended to foster a sense of team work and better communication between the different groups," Dr Frater says.
The Manufesto '98 exhibition will showcase more than 100 technologies drawn from CRC's, CSIRO, Universities and small companies.
The event is sponsored by CSIRO, Business Victoria and AusIndustry (Department of Industry Science and Tourism) with the support of the Australian Industry Research Group (AIRG) and the Australian Vice Chancellors' Committee (AVCC).
Manufesto '98 will be held at the Melbourne Convention Centre 23-25 September 1998. The exhibition will be open 24 - 25 September.
Media are welcome to attend.
More information is available on the Internet at: http://www.manufesto.csiro.au/
For a media pass please contact: Rosie Schmedding 02
6276 6520 or
0418 622 653
(Australia's largest scientific research organisation)
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