The University of Newcastle has welcomed a hint from Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, that it could receive a portion of a $2.2B fund created specifically for research commercialisation.
The announcement from Wicks revealed that funds from the $2.2B pot have been earmarked for the Central Coast Research Institute, however, they could also be used by Newcastle University’s Ourimbah campus “in the resources and critical minerals sector”.
“As well as the medical products sector presenting great possibilities for the Central Coast Research Institute, the Plan could also be used by Newcastle University’s Ourimbah campus in the resources and critical minerals sector,” said Wicks.
University of Newcastle’s Vice Chancellor Alex Zelinsky said the University welcomes the Australian Government announcement of $2.2B in funding for research commercialisation and industry PhD scholarships and fellows.
He said there was a large scope of research already undertaken by students at these campuses.
“Our focus is on helping build the region’s strength as a centre of excellence in health and wellness – in food innovation, health and medicine, coastal and marine science – by providing opportunities for our students and staff to work closely with industry,” said Zelinsky.
The Federal Government’s University Research Commercialisation (URC) Action Plan has been called a “game changer” for the Coast, with current funds allocated to the Central Coast Clinical School and Research Institute in Gosford.
Wicks said she was excited about the connection between world-leading research being developed in Gosford and more local jobs and opportunities for people on the Central Coast.
“The vision for the Central Coast Clinical School and Research Institute was always about making Gosford known as a region of excellence,” said Wicks.
Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, said extra funding and support for Australian universities, including the University of Newcastle’s Ourimbah campus, is always welcome.
However, she said that the Government had spent the past eight years “cutting funding to universities, increasing fees, and driving some of Australia’s best researchers overseas”.
“When universities needed a lifeline during the pandemic, the government prevented them from receiving JobKeeper.
“This had a major flow-on effect. Research projects stopped, campuses closed especially in regional Australia, and thousands of higher education workers and researchers lost their jobs,” she said.
Nicola Riches