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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-12-02 Daily Xml
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Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:32): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Science and the Information Economy a question about science.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.T. NGO: South Australians throughout the state have access to science engagement initiatives and activities that raise the awareness of science and technology and highlight the opportunities and career pathways these skills can offer. Can the minister inform the chamber of one such program that increases engagement and awareness of science?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:33): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. Science and technology-based careers, together with the need for entrepreneurship and creativity are an important element in the support of the government's STEM skills strategy and Investing in Science action plan. Through government and industry partnerships a number of science and research engagement opportunities are emerging.

Hewlett Packard's Innovation and Collaboration Centre is a great example of collaboration between industry, the university sector and government. The centre will be housed within the University of South Australia's new health innovation building development as part of the North Terrace health and biomedical precinct, and will provide a unique environment that connects technology, knowledge and commercialisation expertise to South Australia's business and industry.

In conjunction with Hewlett Packard the University of South Australia will deliver a four-year ICT Honours degree, including work placements with Hewlett Packard to further support workforce development and expansion. At the launch of Hewlett Packard's Innovation and Collaboration Centre the Premier announced the government's support of the University of South Australia's Science Creativity and Education Studio, known as SciCEd.

Hewlett Packard and the state government will be foundation partners in the studio, which will also be located in the new building on North Terrace. Through a collaborative effort between the Department of State Development and the Department for Education and Child Development, the government has committed to providing $750,000 to the SciCEd Studio over six years. By providing an exciting and interactive space for visitors, SciCEd is designed to transform public perceptions of science, technology and innovation.

Bringing science and technology out of the labs and into the public realm can help inspire, particularly our young people, with dazzling possibilities of careers in science and innovation. SciCEd will demonstrate to the wider community the strong links that exist between science and creative industries and business. Through foundation membership of the SciCEd Studio, the government can support the delivery of this fabulous initiative.

The SciCEd Studio has enormous potential to be at the forefront of science engagement in South Australia, and complements the government's mission to attract and retain interest in science and technology and to grow our economy through the growth of innovative industries. With the general public and, in particular, our young people as the target audience, once the studio opens in 2018, SciCEd's state-of-the-art facilities will raise people's awareness, understanding and appreciation of science by inviting them to physically interact with the latest science and technology exhibits, opportunities that are so often difficult to provide in research and commercial environments.

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