11 Wellington Group Annual Meeting July 16-18, 2007 July 2007Copyright © 2007 The University of Adelaide Needs and Initiatives in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Professor James McWha, Vice-Chancellor and President The University of Adelaide How can higher education meet the specialised human resource needs of science and industry more effectively?

11 Wellington Group Annual Meeting July 16-18, 2007 July 2007Copyright © 2007 The University of Adelaide ‘Our capacity to train young people to produce the next generation of scientists and engineers is also reliant on our current capability in SET. A broader question for the Australian Government, state and territory governments, industry groups and the research community is how we develop, maintain and foster the supply of relevant skills to meet industry, research and community needs.’ Julie Bishop Minister for Education, Science and Training

11 Wellington Group Annual Meeting July 16-18, 2007 July 2007Copyright © 2007 The University of Adelaide

11 Wellington Group Annual Meeting July 16-18, 2007 July 2007Copyright © 2007 The University of Adelaide Number of students studying science subjects

11 Wellington Group Annual Meeting July 16-18, 2007 July 2007Copyright © 2007 The University of Adelaide All preferences in SA: by Field of Education Field of Education Difference% Natural and Physical Sciences % Engineering and Technology %

11 Wellington Group Annual Meeting July 16-18, 2007 July 2007Copyright © 2007 The University of Adelaide Undergraduate programmes in science, Domestic Student Enrolments in Australia % Math. Sciences Physics, astronomy Chemical Sciences Source: DEST, Audit of Science, Engineering and Technology Skills

11 Wellington Group Annual Meeting July 16-18, 2007 July 2007Copyright © 2007 The University of Adelaide Commencing UG EFTSL by Faculty (UA) Faculty % Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences % Health Sciences % Sciences %

11 Wellington Group Annual Meeting July 16-18, 2007 July 2007Copyright © 2007 The University of Adelaide ‘Who’s Teaching Science?’  43% of High School Physics teachers lack a Physics major and haven’t studies physics beyond first year University;  25% of Chemistry teachers don’t have a chemistry major;  14% of Biology teachers don’t have a biology major;  8% have not studied Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Geology at University at all! Source: Australian Council of Deans of Sciences

11 Wellington Group Annual Meeting July 16-18, 2007 July 2007Copyright © 2007 The University of Adelaide Proportion of students studying sciences at yr 12