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Future science
Monash University is reinforcing its commitment to science with more than $450 million of science-related projects on the drawing board, writes ANNE STANFORD Over the past 40 years, Monash University has gained an enviable international reputation for research, particularly in medicine, science and technology. And three recently announced projects – the $4.2 million Monash Science Centre, the planned $300 million Monash STRIP (Science Technology Research and Innovation Precinct) and the $157 million synchrotron – reinforce the university’s commitment to science. The projects are indicative of how the university will look in 2020 and match Monash’s strategy of engaging the entire community in science at all levels. The new developments mean that science will be equally accessible to all students, from primary, secondary and tertiary students right through to postgraduates working and learning in an industry-based environment. The concept for the innovative Monash STRIP arose from a number of developments in the university, including the need for new facilities and the desire for an integrated learning environment. The precinct will provide a multidisciplinary focus for the university, business and industry to work together to develop new products and industries from research with commercial potential. Monash deputy vice-chancellor (Resources) Ms Alison Crook says the Monash STRIP will provide facilities and support services to deliver a seamless move from research through the stages of commercial development to advanced manufacturing and marketing. “As research-based companies develop, they will be able to expand into adjacent university land, so a cluster of emerging industries linked to Monash innovation research will progressively develop in and around the university,” she says. “We see the STRIP becoming a significant engine of Australia’s creative economy and enhancing the area’s reputation for having more advanced manufacturers than any- where else. These manufacturers work and feed off each other, thereby clustering – a model which has worked successfully in many other countries. “Businesses and industry will be attracted to the precinct’s links to the overall university environment, including world-class modelling, simulation and visualisation capabilities, state-of-the-art research equipment and top-class sporting and cultural facilities.” While the STRIP will be home to a multi-disciplinary cluster, some industries will especially link with the synchrotron facilities, such as scientific computing, bio-informatics, data mining, biotechnology, nano-technology and environment. Ms Crook says one of the exciting aspects of the development will be how the STRIP will lure talented students into the science fields – starting with the very early years. The Monash Science Centre – due to be completed next year – will provide the initial starting blocks to inspire children about science. The centre will attract mainly primary school groups and families to its hands-on educational programs. Positive discussions have taken place with the Victorian state government for a proposed specialist secondary school facility to be incorporated into Stage Two of the Monash STRIP project. The school will nurture the interests of students, expose them to cutting-edge research areas and give them the benefit of being within a resource-rich university during their final secondary school years. Overall, secondary students will be an important part of the Monash STRIP, with an atrium space designed especially for visits. Stage One of the STRIP, at a cost of $44 million, on the western side of the Clayton campus, is due for completion by the end of 2002. Ms Crook says there has already been strong industry interest and negotiations with the first prospective tenants. Stage One consists of a three-level building connected to a four-level building, comprising a total floor space of about 15,000 square metres. The buildings will include laboratory space and modern teaching facilities and will be shared between university departments and commercial organisations. In total, the planned cluster will comprise seven buildings and carparks progressively developed over five stages as demand for space by industry increases The Victorian government’s $157 million synchrotron is the ideal complement to the STRIP. Construction of the synchrotron will start by July 2002. A synchrotron is a large, circular particle accelerator with a diameter of around 60 metres. It produces beams of extremely high intensity light across the electromagnetic spectrum that enables scientists to examine the structures of molecules.. Deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Development) Professor Peter Darvall says a synchrotron is essential for researchers at the leading edge. “In the past, Australian scientists have been regular visitors to synchrotrons in Japan and the United States. The anti-flu drug RelenzaTM would never have been possible if Monash and CSIRO researchers had not obtained access to a synchrotron overseas,” he says. “There has been almost unanimous support in the Australian scientific community that this country should construct its own synchrotron facility as soon as possible. Monash has the research base and the networks within the broader scientific community to make this synchrotron a resource of national significance." ACTION: For more information about the Monash Science Centre, visit the website at www.sci.monash.edu.au/msc/index.htm |
