Media Release
December 7 2005
UniSA’s new powerhouse of sustainability research
Creating integrated eco-sensitive technological solutions for
sustainable urban and rural development will be the focus of the
University of South Australia’s newly formed Institute for Sustainable
Systems and Technologies (ISST).
The Institute aims to become an internationally recognised powerhouse of
sustainability research by developing systems and technologies that
optimise the use of natural resources, minimise waste, emissions and
other environmental consequences, and reduce costs.
Bringing the total number of UniSA’s research institutes to six, ISST
comprises the talents of four world-leading research centres within the
University including the Agricultural Machinery Research and Design
Centre, the Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, the
Sustainable Energy Centre, the Transport Systems Centre and other
researchers from the Division of Information Technology, Engineering and
the Environment.
These centres conduct research programs across a broad spectrum of
advanced systems and technologies that are fundamental to the
sustainability of the built and natural environments in our society,
according to ISST Director, Professor Wasim Saman.
“ISST will be working to integrate the capabilities of these centres to
create new multi-disciplinary research programs in the field of
sustainable systems and technologies,” Professor Saman said.
“The conceptual and technological advances generated by ISST will help
South Australia in its mission to become a national and international
leader in sustainable development and stimulate growth of industries
that will export South Australian sustainability technologies, products
and expertise.
“UniSA researchers are already developing systems and technologies that
help to sustain ecosystems and facilitate social and economic
development in areas such as agriculture, industry, energy, transport
and built and natural environments,” Professor Saman said.
Examples of sustainable energy products being commercialised include a
roof-integrated solar heating system, a new generation of solar lights
and storage systems for heating and cooling applications. Other research
programs focus on areas such as waste management, sustainable
agriculture and food production, water cycle management, sustainable
cities, energy and emissions in transport systems and even modelling of
fish populations.
Professor Saman will be joined by Professor Jerzy Filar as Director of
Research at ISST, with external members of an advisory board selected
from industry, government and academia. ISST is also establishing an
International Expert Panel of leading international authorities to
provide advice on its research programs, potential international funding
and collaborative opportunities.
Sustainability has been identified by the University as a priority area in teaching and research and coincides with the commitment made to environmental sustainability by the State Government as outlined in the State Strategic Plan. ISST’s mission is also in line with the national research priority for an environmentally sustainable Australia.
Contacts for interviews
-
Professor Wasim Saman office +61 8 8302 3008 email wasim.saman@unisa.edu.au
Professor Jerzy Filar office +61 8 8302 3530 email jerzy.filar@unisa.edu.au
Media contact
- Geraldine Hinter, office (08) 8302 0963 mobile 0417 861 832 email geraldine.hinter@unisa.edu.au