1. Lessons from Australia’s scientific development
Prof Cheryl Praeger
Foreign Secretary
Australian Academy of Science
Jakarta, 30 March 2016

2. National Innovation and Science Agenda
Major focus on innovation and entrepreneurship
Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science
Assistant Ministers for Innovation and Science
Chief Scientist
Provides high-level independent advice to PM and Ministers
15 National Strategic Research Priorities that address five “societal challenges”
Living in a changing environment
Promoting population health and wellbeing
Managing our food and water assets
Securing Australia's place in a changing world
Lifting productivity and economic growth

3. Major focus on STEM education
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills
75% of the fastest growing occupations in Australia require STEM skills and knowledge & employment in STEM related occupations is projected to grow at almost twice the pace of other occupations
Therefore, countries must prepare their children – the workforce of tomorrow for this eventuality
AAS developed science & maths education programs: Primary Connections, Science by Doing and Maths by Inquiry
Investment in STEM also important for scientifically literate society

4. International collaborations
Australia does ~ 3% or world’s R&D. Needs to access other 97%.
National Innovation & Science Agenda:
Global Innovation Strategy ($36m over five years) to improve Australia’s international innovation and science collaborations
Academy will administer activities for collaborations in Asia-Pacific region

5. Young researchers PM Prizes for Science
Important to support early and mid career researchers
Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science
Australia’s most prestigious award for outstanding achievement in scientific research, research-based innovation and excellence in science teaching

6. Research infrastructure
Australia has A$3billion – 27 major research facilities
Square Kilometre Array (SKA)
11 countries participate, representing 40% of the world’s population
A truly global enterprise (constructed in Western Australia and South Africa)
SKA dishes will produce 10 times the data of current global internet traffic and use enough optical fibre to wrap twice around the earth

7. Benefits/impacts of science funding
Congratulations on announcing the Indonesian Science Fund!
Encourages researchers to make multi-year plans for their research programs
Encourages collaboration and supports building research teams
Strengthens research capacity of the country, aids in retaining the best researchers
Gives to solve big challenges facing the country
Provides a means to support early career researchers and plays important part in career track
Enables the country to develop broad research priorities.
Important to support fundamental research.