This document ,'A Science Policy for Australia in the 21st Century', represents a move by FASTS towards a more proactive role in the development of science and technology policy in Australia, in addition to lobbying government on behalf of Australian scientists and technologists. This is a stage in a continuous process of developing a science and technology policy for FASTS that evolves with the changing needs of the Australian community. It is intended that the FASTS Policy Document will be a 'live document' subject to continual revision. The Policy Document covers four broad areas: Education; Industry; Government Institutions and National Facilities; and University Research and Research Training.
"Science education is the foundation of effective understanding, dissemination and application of scientific knowledge in modern technological society. An understanding of science and of the technologies derived from it is also a cultural goal for society, as it broadens people's education."
"All sectors of the economy benefit from investment in research and development (R&D). In some areas, such as Australia's traditionally strong mining and agricultural sectors, private sector R&D contributes strongly to the value added to primary products, with consequent contribution to export income ... However, it is undeniable that Australia's overall private sector R&D performance is abysmal by any international comparison."
"Government has a role to play in the development of the modern, integrated technological economy and society. In order to perform this role adequately, government, in consultation with all other sectors of society, must possess a vision for Australia in the Asia Pacific region as we enter the 21st century."
"The universities underpin Australia's mathematics, science and technology base since they train the qualified personnel for all sectors ... The ability to sustain high quality in the four objectives of graduate and postgraduate training, national advice, technology transfer, internationally recognised research and scholarship is under serious challenge in an era where the university sector has been forced to expand and diversify in a climate of financial constraint."
E-mail suggestions and comments to Toss Gascoigne, Executive Director, FASTS at fasts@anu.edu.au
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