Monash University > News and Events > Monash Memo

Monash academic receives leadership award

27 May 2009

Professor Brian G. Falzon

Professor Brian G. Falzon from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has been awarded a Future Summit Leadership Award.

The awards are an initiative of the Australian Davos Connection, a not-for-profit organisation committed to encouraging individuals and organisations to make a difference.

The awards recognise outstanding "new-generation" leaders for their achievements and contribution to a vision for Australia's future.

Professor Falzon is one of Australia's emerging leaders in research, development and education in the field of advanced aerostructures.

He has a particular interest in the development of computational simulation tools to create virtual manufacturing, testing and design environments for aircraft structures.

He is also co-founder of Veryan Medical Limited, which is in the process of developing a number of new implantable vascular devices.

As part of the award Professor Falzon was able to speak to leading figures from industry, government and academia on the future of education, research and development priorities at the two-day Future Summit conference.

"The breadth of topics discussed included the implications of climate change, the global financial crisis, Australian competitiveness in a post-crisis world, the future of technology, innovation, and national security," Professor Falzon said.

"An educated workforce was also seen as the cornerstone of sustained future prosperity with a call to teach students to be creative thinkers.

"There was also acknowledgement of a need to widen the scope of multidisciplinary research and bring together science, technology and the humanities to address some of the grand challenges facing Australia and the rest of the world."

Further information on the summit can be found at the Future Summit website.