Sydney plays host to international debate on biotechnology regulation

Leading international and domestic researchers and field specialists in biotechnology regulation will descend on Sydney in July to take part in the AC21 International Forum 2004, Universities, Cities and Society in the 21st Century.

Aimed at addressing some of the world’s most pressing and topical debates, the four-day Forum is being hosted by The University of Sydney. The academic program consists of an open and public forum addressing the Forum’s overall theme, Universities, Cities and Society in the 21st Century, as well as six satellite forums on topics of mutual interest.

The Biotechnology: Sustainable Regulation satellite forum is being hosted by the Australian Centre for Environmental Law (Sydney), based in the University’s Faculty of Law. It will apply an international and interdisciplinary lens to the domestic debate about genetically modified organisms, ensuring that the voices of regulators, industry, non-government organisations, lawyers, scientists and economists are heard.

Director of the Australian Centre for Environmental Law and satellite forum coordinator, Ms Rosemary Lyster, said the satellite forum has been designed to inform domestic debate on biotechnology regulation, a relatively new area of environmental law.

“Against the backdrop of the Australian Gene Technology Act 2000 (Cth), decisions are being made about the release of genetically modified organisms into the delicate Australian environment,” Ms Lyster said. “These decisions must ensure the safety of the environment, an extremely difficult task given the current context of scientific uncertainty and public concern surrounding the area.”

Professor Alan Irwin from Brunel University in London, an internationally renowned expert on biotechnology and public discourse, will present the satellite forum’s keynote address.

“Professor Irwin’s address will look at ways of ensuring public discourse in the area of biotechnology regulation,” said Ms Lyster. “His credentials in the area, as a member of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the United Kingdom’s Agricultural and Environment Biotechnology Commission, as an advisor to British and European Commission policy makers on the issue of public engagement with science and technology, especially biotechnology, and as a researcher who has attracted significant research funding and published extensively, demonstrate his capacity to inform domestic stakeholders on the issues.”

The satellite forum will also include a case study on China presented by Professor Wang Xi from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. One of the country’s leading environmental law scholars, Professor Xi is currently the director of a project to develop legislation to regulate genetic resources development in China and has had international engagements as researcher, lecturer and conference speaker in Europe, Canada, Asia, the United States and Australia.

The Biotechnology: Sustainable Regulation satellite forum will be held on Thursday 22 July 2004 from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

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Sydney key to development of international student exchange protocol

Australian academics and government regulators will welcome leaders and innovators in international student exchanges to Sydney in July as part in the AC21 International Forum 2004, Universities, Cities and Society in the 21st Century.

Aimed at addressing some of the world’s most pressing and topical higher education debates, the four-day Forum is being hosted by The University of Sydney. The academic program consists of an open and public forum addressing the Forum’s overall theme, Universities, Cities and Society in the 21st Century, as well as six satellite forums on topics of mutual interest to AC21 member institutions.

The International Student Exchange: A Vital Part of an International University satellite forum is being hosted by the University’s International Office. It aims to inform the Australian marketplace of the opportunities and requirements for successful international student exchanges and to discover the potential for an AC21 International Exchange Protocol.

Managing Director (International) at The University of Sydney and satellite forum coordinator, Peter Dodd, said the satellite forum has been designed to explore, through case study examples, all topics associated with the increasingly prevalent international experience sought by students studying at both Australian and overseas universities.

“We are finding an increased want and need for students to complete a proportion of their studies abroad,” Mr Dodd said. “Our job, as both a member of AC21 and Australia’s oldest and most prestigious university is to work with overseas institutions and government to provide a trouble-free way forward for students to have a meaningful international experience.”

The satellite forum will include case study presentations by Ms Ingrid Schmidt, Director of Study Abroad at North Carolina State University, USA, and Assistant Professor Claudia Ishikawa, Coordinator of the Nagoya University Program for Academic Exchange, Japan.

“Ms Schmidt and Assistant Professor Ishikawa will provide delegates with insights into two highly successful international exchange programs working in two very distinct cultures,” said Mr Dodd. “They will provide practical information on both the value and management of exchange programs in their respective institutions and countries.”

Ms Bettina Cooke from the Department of Education, Science and Training will provide important updates on government legislation affecting international exchanges including information on partners, visas and other government regulations. The satellite forum will also see domestic national initiatives and Australian university perspectives explored by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) at The University of Sydney, Professor John Hearn and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Stephen Garton.

The International Student Exchange: A Vital Part of an International University satellite forum will be held on Thursday 22 July 2004 from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

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Sydney plays host to international debate on the use of new learning technologies

The world’s leading researchers and field specialists in e-Learning will descend on Sydney in July to take part in the AC21 International Forum 2004, Universities, Cities and Society in the 21st Century.

Aimed at addressing some of the world’s most pressing and topical debates, the four-day Forum is being hosted by The University of Sydney. The academic program consists of an open and public forum addressing the Forum’s overall theme, Universities, Cities and Society in the 21st Century, as well as six satellite forums on topics of mutual interest.

The Learning Technologies: e-Learning in the Wild satellite forum is being hosted by CoCo, part of the University’s School of Development and Learning, Faculty of Education and Social Work. It will explore technological innovations that support new teaching and learning scenarios in a variety of highly mobile and dynamic settings and aims to forge research alliances between AC21 member institutions and mobile technology providers.

Professor of Education with the School of Development and Learning at The University of Sydney and satellite forum coordinator, Professor Peter Goodyear, said the satellite forum has been designed to examine how universities and other educational organisations can capitalise on the increasingly ubiquitous nature of information technologies, and the ways in which ‘new generation’ learners can integrate new technologies with their existing e-learning infrastructure.

“e-Learning is a new, exploratory area that has developed as technology becomes increasingly mobile,” Professor Goodyear said. “Up until now discussions about new technologies have focused on their potential to allow people to work anytime and from anywhere, however it is the unrealised potential of these technologies to support and improve in-the-field learning experiences for people of all ages that should be of most interest.”

A number of respected researchers in the field will make presentations. Among them, Dr Lori Lockyer and Dr Gwyn Brickell from The University of Wollongong will present a case study address, Extending the concept of the school excursion: e-Learning and Sydney Olympic Park.

“This address will provide a real life example of how mobile technology is being integrated into the school curriculum, providing students with a worthwhile and engaging educational experience that is initiated in the classroom but extends into the ‘real’ world,” said Professor Goodyear. “ Dr Lockyer and Dr Brickell are well qualified to speak on the area with The University of Wollongong’s digital media unit having completed research into the area for over 15 years.”

Other speakers who will join specialists from The University of Sydney include Shoji Kajita, Takaki Taniguchi and Natalie Konomi from Nagoya University, Japan, who will make an address Benchmarking for the Use of IT among AC21 institutions; Patrick McAndrew from the Open University, UK, who will discuss Designing for the e-mobile learner; Bernadette Breedon and Brian Hayes from Telstra who will speak on Reducing the distraction of Technology-augmentation for Learning; Kevin Sumption from the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, who will make an address Museums On Line – Seeking new directions for web-based education and Yoshiharu Matsuura, Frank Bennett and Ikuo Sugawara from Nagoya University, Japan, who will make an address, Hightech training for legal skills: Digital recording, stream indexing and commenting on court cases.

The Learning Technologies: e-Learning in the Wild satellite forum will be held on Thursday 22 July 2004 from 9:00am to 5:30pm.

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Sydney plays host to international debate on ageing populations

Leading researchers and field specialists in ageing studies will descend on Sydney in July to take part in the AC21 International Forum 2004, Universities, Cities and Society in the 21st Century.

Aimed at addressing some of the world’s most pressing and topical debates, the four-day Forum is being hosted by The University of Sydney. The academic program consists of an open and public forum addressing the Forum’s overall theme, Universities, Cities and Society in the 21st Century, as well as six satellite forums on topics of mutual interest.

The Multidisciplinary Ageing and Aged Care satellite forum is being hosted by the University’s College of Health Sciences. It aims to identify real research and education opportunities for collaboration between universities, government and the aged care industry. Aged care organisations and key figures at an administrative and government level will have the chance to consider new scientific and educational advances into the field.

Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and satellite forum coordinator, Professor Hal Kendig, said the satellite forum has been designed to focus on reasonable and achievable collaborative goals, bringing research based knowledge to applications by practitioners and industry members including staff of the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care.

“With Australia undergoing an historic transition to an ageing society, constructive planning for population ageing is imperative to improve outcomes for people of all ages,” said Professor Kendig. “This satellite forum will provide integrated multidisciplinary perspectives on how education and research can contribute to improving the personal and societal experiences of ageing by addressing linkages between education and research, linkages between universities, communities and governments and how multidisciplinary efforts in ageing are carried out.”

Professor Gloria Guttmann from Simon Fraser University in Canada will present the satellite forum’s keynote address, International Directions in Gerontology Education.

“Professor Guttman is internationally regarded for her research into seniors’ housing, long term care and dementia care,” said Professor Kendig. “Her address will lend a compelling international perspective to the debate on ageing and aged care, and general insight into some of the practical and industry-based applications for tertiary research.”

“Her credentials in the area, as author of some 20 books and over 100 scholarly articles, President of the International Association of Gerontology and founder of the Gerontology Research Centre in Canada, demonstrate her capacity to inform domestic stakeholders on the issue.”

The Ageing and Aged Care satellite forum will be held on Thursday 22 July 2004 from 9:00am to 4:15pm.

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Sydney plays host to international debate on transport

The world’s leading researchers and field specialists in sustainable transport will descend on Sydney in July to take part in the AC21 International Forum 2004, Universities, Cities and Society in the 21st Century.

Aimed at addressing some of the world’s most pressing and topical debates, the four-day Forum is being hosted by The University of Sydney. The academic program consists of an open and public forum addressing the Forum’s overall theme, Universities, Cities and Society in the 21st Century, as well as six satellite forums on topics of mutual interest.

The Sustainable Transport in Sustainable Cities satellite forum is being hosted by The University of Sydney’s Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering. It will focus on practical approaches to the development of transport solutions. A second goal will be to assess transport strategies currently being debated by government and which are now set to shape the nation’s transport industry. Many of these strategies are based on proposals made by the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering.

Mr Robert Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer of the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering and satellite forum coordinator, said the forum was designed to address topical transport issues from a practical perspective.

“With tens of thousands of people moving to Sydney each year, Australia’s most densely populated city is experiencing both urban consolidation and urban sprawl, making sustainable transport an increasingly important social, political and economic issue,” Mr Mitchell said. “This satellite forum will take a practical approach to developing transport solutions.”

“The forum will also provide the opportunity to discuss transport strategies being proposed by the NSW Government, such as the controversial proposal to cancel the private bus network operating in Sydney’s west and replace it with Sydney Buses services.”

Ken Dobinson who directed The Warren Centre Sustainable Transport in Sustainable Cities project will lead the debate, giving the forum’s keynote address on strategies to achieve a sustainable city.

“Many of the speakers at the Sustainable Transport in Sustainable Cities satellite forum are from industry, ensuring that the focus of the forum will be the development of practical and achievable transport goals,” Mr Mitchell said.

All of the papers to be presented at the forum will be new perspectives on:

The Sustainable Transport in Sustainable Cities satellite forum will by held on Thursday July 22 from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

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Orange plays host to international debate on water

The world’s leading researchers and field specialists in the sustainable use of water resources will descend on Orange, NSW, in July as part of the AC21 International Forum 2004, Universities, Cities and Society in the 21st Century.

Aimed at addressing some of the world’s most pressing and topical issues, the four-day Forum is being hosted by The University of Sydney. The academic program consists of an open and public forum addressing the Forum’s overall theme, Universities, Cities and Society in the 21st Century, as well as six satellite forums on topics of mutual interest.

The Water and Sustainable Development satellite forum is being hosted by the University’s Faculty of Rural Management in Orange. It aims to identify opportunities for collaboration between AC21 member institutions and other organisations, such as Sydney Water, to address societal needs.

The Associate Dean of the Faculty of Rural Management and satellite forum coordinator, Associate Professor Geoff Gurr, said the event has been designed to stimulate collaborative research and development opportunities for AC21 member institutions across water-related fields as diverse as groundwater decontamination, wildlife conservation and civil engineering.

“With ever stronger competition for water in Australia from industry, domestic users, agriculture and the environment, the importance of collaborative relationships and interdisciplinary research should not be underestimated,” Associate Professor Gurr said.

Dr Paul Taylor, Director of Cap-Net, a United Nations organisation dedicated to capacity building for integrated water management, will present the forum’s keynote address, Education Networks and Sustainable Water Management – A Perfect Solution.

“As a specialist on integrated water management, Dr Taylor will have much to tell us about how water resources should be best managed by competing users and stakeholders,” said Associate Professor Gurr. “Dr Taylor’s career has taken him from the Government of Zimbabwe, to the World Bank to Cap-Net in the Netherlands. His wide international experience will be of great benefit to forum participants interested in improving water resource management in Australia and internationally.”

The satellite forum will feature several other high profile international speakers including Professor Arata Katayama from Nagoya University, Japan, who will explore new techniques for remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater supplies. Professor Tetsuro Tsujimoto, also from Nagoya University, will cover civil engineering responses to water issues. Dr Nancy White from North Carolina State University, USA, will talk about linking landscape with water to protect habitat, public health and ecosystems.

Australian experts such as Sydney Water Chair, Mrs Gabrielle Kibble, Professor David Michalk from NSW Agriculture, Professor David Goldney from The University of Sydney’s Faculty of Rural Management and Ms Rosemary Lyster from The University of Sydney’s Australian Centre for Environmental Law will join these high-calibre international speakers, presenting addresses and papers on areas of national concern.

The Water and Sustainable Development satellite forum will commence with an evening reception on Tuesday 20 July 2004 and run all day at The University of Sydney’s Orange Campus on Wednesday 21 July. Transport to Orange will be provided for Sydney-based and international delegates, leaving Sydney on the afternoon of Tuesday 20 July and returning on Thursday 22 July.

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