Media Release
July 22, 2005
UniSA tops the State in industry backed research
In
their most successful showing on record, UniSA researchers have won just
over $6.5 million in funding to support 14 industry linked research
projects, more than double that of any other university in the State.
About $2.8 million is funded through the federal government Australian Research Council Linkage Grants and the matching $3.6 million is provided by industry.
UniSA is now ranked 7th in Australia in industry partnered research with researchers exploring real world issues in many fields from social policy areas right through to water sciences, biochemistry, human health and well being, nanotechnology and minerals processing.
UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor Denise Bradley said the results were a reflection of the University's commitment to vibrant, relevant research and to the strength of its partnerships with industry both locally and internationally.
"Winning support for projects that industry partners need for them to remain competitive, is particularly rewarding," Professor Bradley said.
"Such relationships ensure our people can work to solve real problems in the community, make their research relevant and current and strengthen the education environment for our students.
Key projects include a partnership with the SA Department of Education and the Women's and Children's Hospital looking at childhood obesity and how children understand fitness, exercise and activity so that better interventions and health messages can be developed that will be meaningful to children themselves. The study will research 3 to 13 years olds and develop a broader knowledge of how they understand physical activity.
And in an innovative environmental engineering project researchers at UniSA will work with the Australian Water Quality Centre to develop a biotechnological treatment process for the wine industry that could take waste water to produce a by-product protein rich animal food, treat waste water and allow for reuse in farm irrigation and reduce pollution in natural watercourses.
Other projects include research into getting unfit adults more active; how we can ensure improved health information technology is used by GPs; an evaluation of the effectiveness of domestic violence programs for men; advanced drug delivery technology using nanotechnology; exploring nanotechnology as a part of wastewater reuse systems; new technologies for improved early detection of missiles; a longitudinal exploration of the factors that lead to work stress; new systems for stormwater management; research into human vaccines for infections and allergies and research into improved separations of minerals for the mining industry.
More information and details about the ARC Linkage grant projects
Media contact
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Michèle Nardelli, ph: 08 8302 0966 or 041 8823673