ATSE opens award nominations, encourages STEM investment

The Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) is calling for nominations for the 2021 ATSE Awards, to recognise outstanding Australian achievements in applied science, technology or engineering innovation and commercialisation.

Each year, ATSE recognises leading lights who make extraordinary contributions to technological science and engineering in Australia. The awards recognise entrepreneurs, applied scientists, technologists and engineers across many phases of their career and working across academia, research and industry, and include cash prizes and travel bursaries as well as access to ATSE’s network of leading experts.

ATSE CEO Kylie Walker said that recognising Australia’s outstanding entrepreneurs and innovators is crucial in showcasing the importance of applied science, technology and engineering to creating new industry, pushing forward Australia’s technological capacity and growing jobs for skilled graduates.

“Australian research is world class, and we have a huge potential to keep growing the translation and commercialisation of this work, to enhance our resilience and become a leading innovation economy,” Walker said.

“Australia has a wealth of outstanding entrepreneurs and innovators who have made significant contributions to Australia through applied science, technology or engineering. I encourage our best and brightest across the innovation economy to nominate for an award, help us to celebrate your achievements and connect you with international leaders across STEM.

“I particularly encourage trailblazers from under-represented groups in STEM, such as women and Indigenous Australians, to nominate for our prestigious awards.”

Nominations for the 2021 ATSE Awards are open until 18 January 2021. To nominate, click here.

Meanwhile, ATSE has used its pre-budget submission to urge the federal government to continue to develop advanced industry in Australia. The submission claims that investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) capability will increase Australia’s ability to address major challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, support critical national capabilities and create future growth industries and jobs.

“Investment in responsible technological solutions for agile and responsive modern manufacturing and supply chains, clean energy, integrated digital health care, and advanced data collection and analytics will provide more reliable and better equity of access to goods, services and utilities, as well as creating jobs in Australia,” said ATSE President Professor Hugh Bradlow.

“For example, investment in digitising and applying Industry 4.0 principles will support a rapid evolution in manufacturing, enhance Australia’s sovereign capability and enhance our capacity to respond quickly as new needs emerge.

“Government also has an opportunity to fast-track Australia’s transformation to a world-leading clean energy economy, by supporting the development of low-emissions energy technology. Thousands of jobs could be created in sectors and regions hit hardest by the COVID-19 downturn.

“Underpinning all of these innovations it will be critical to support Australia’s research sector, and the commercial translation of research and development.”

ATSE’s Budget Submission provides recommendations for targeted government investment in building Australia’s responsive and agile sovereign industry, and growing jobs for the future. The Academy stands ready to support the government’s STEM jobs agenda by:

• increasing uptake of STEM careers and creating career pathways for STEM graduates;
• fostering successful collaborations between industry and research to create jobs and grow Australia’s innovation economy; and
• providing expert timely advice on applied science, technology and engineering.
   

“This budget is an opportunity to focus government investment on an integrated post-pandemic technology boom that opens new pathways to build Australian health, wealth, resilience and wellbeing,” Prof Bradlow said.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/tomertu

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