Former SMART Advisory Council member appointed Chief Defence Scientist

Former SMART Advisory Council Member, Dr Alex Zelinsky, has been appointed as the next Chief Defence Scientist of Australia and head of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) commencing in mid-March 2012.

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Director of World Leading Railway Corporation’s Operations to Head Up New Rail Research

Andrew McCusker, the recently retired director of operations for the globally respected Hong Kong Mass Transit Railways Corporation has been appointed to establish a new railway research initiative at the SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong.

SMART’s CEO Garry Bowditch believes, “Attracting a world leading rail expert of Andrew's calibre to SMART means there is support for rail research to better champion the role of the customer in transport infrastructure.”

“This is a coup for the University and SMART,” said Mr Bowditch.

“UOW received $10 million in funding from NSW RailCorp to establish new directions in rail research that will see rail become a more important means of transport for passengers and freight.”

“Mr McCusker is a globally recognised, leading exponent of customer focus for railway operations and his expertise will be very appealing to government and industry. Under his leadership he achieved high levels of customer satisfaction and profitable urban rail operations. This is a unique mix that will draw respect and attention from across the industry.

“Passenger and freight rail are recognising they have to radically evolve their transport systems and focus on customer service. They need heavy lifting experience and assistance to do this.”

“Importantly, Mr McCusker is also a world leader in benchmarking service and performance, another area in demand from government and industry.”

Mr McCusker stated, “Rail is undergoing a renaissance – road congestion, the focus on sustainability and the desire to get freight moving more efficiently into intermodal hubs – are all pushing the demand for rail.”

“SMART is ideally placed to complement the University’s already world class rail engineering strengths with its simulation, modelling and analysis abilities.”

“I want to listen to government and rail operators and hear their priorities. I am looking forward to working with the team to further build on the impressive achievements of SMART and UOW to be a high quality research partner with the rail and infrastructure sector generally.

“It is going to be an exciting time.”

Link to Rail Express article - Nov 2011 Issue 4

SMART to host 2012 Global Game Jam

For 48 hours over January 28th and 29th 2012, SMART will open its doors to participants of the fourth annual Global Game Jam.

The Global Game Jam (GGJ) is the world's largest game jam, where participants from across the globe team up to create playable games over the course of a single weekend. It is a project of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA).

GGJ is open to everyone, and all experience levels are encouraged to take part. The jam brings together students, hobbyists and even professionals from AAA game studios.

GGJ director Foaad Khosmood says the jam “continues to foster creativity in a friendly atmosphere of cooperation and education”. Many attendees form teams that later evolve into gaming companies. The jam also provides invaluable experience for students, with many students finding that the connections made during GGJ have lead to future employment with great game production studios.

For more information or to register, visit http://globalgamejam.org/

Minister predicts SMART to have a major impact on Australia

The SMART Infrastructure Facility will play a vital role in Australia’s future, Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said at the official opening of the Facility on 11 November 2011.

The Minister together with the University of Wollongong Chancellor, Jillian Broadbent and Vice-Chancellor Gerard Sutton officially opened the $62 million SMART building, one of the largest infrastructure research facilities in the world.

The Minister highlighted the collaborative approach of SMART and that the government and SMART had agreed to exchange information freely “so that good research can become good policy.”

Mr Albanese predicted research carried out at SMART would have a major impact on Australia’s future, by analysing how the nation can embrace and harness new technologies to improve Australia’s liveability and sustainability.

“I am excited at what is coming out of the SMART Infrastructure Facility, full of creative minds and energy, which is finding solutions to our real-life transport infrastructure challenges,” said the Minister.

SMART Chief Executive Officer Garry Bowditch was the master of ceremonies and made a special note of the role the senior University Administrators played in providing the insight that Australia required a research facility to develop the new science of integrated infrastructure planning and management.

The recently appointed SMART Advisory Council and former Australian Treasury head Dr Ken Henry officially welcomed guests.

Dr Henry acknowledged the work of the Vice-Chancellor and former Advisory Council Chairman Nick Greiner in championing the vision and concept of SMART to gain funding and support.

“Australia’s future prosperity depends on our infrastructure systems,” Dr Henry said, adding that research already underway at SMART was being supported by government agencies, corporate entities and fellow research organisations around the globe.

In her vote of thanks, UOW Chancellor Jillian Broadbent said there was a great sense of pride within the University about SMART.

SMART opening interviews

Ken Henry appointed Chairman, SMART Infrastructure Facility Advisory Council

One of Australia’s most influential public policy experts, Dr Ken Henry AC (Secretary to The Commonwealth Treasury 2001-2011) has been appointed as Chairman of the SMART Infrastructure Facility Advisory Council.

The SMART Infrastructure Facility (SMART) is a new $62 million world-class research and education centre based at the University of Wollongong.

SMART focuses on researching, modeling and promoting holistic and rigorous planning for Australia's urban and regional infrastructure systems.

SMART CEO Mr Garry Bowditch welcomed Dr Henry’s acceptance of the role.

“Dr Henry brings exceptional experience and unique insights into the Australian economy and its place in the world. His knowledge will play a key role in our planning and engagement with government and industry,”

“The University of Wollongong is honoured by Dr. Henry's decision to be Chairman of SMART, particularly when he has been approached with many offers to join public and private organisations. By choosing SMART, Dr. Henry brings an important national recognition to SMART's role in championing integrated infrastructure planning,” said Mr Bowditch.

Dr Henry stated that, “SMART is an important national initiative seeking to have a positive impact on how we consider, view, procure, design and manage infrastructure systems. I am looking forward to contributing to this new and highly relevant area of research.”

“I have said in the past that 'economists have difficulty describing in any detail the industrial structure that will maximise economic opportunity for Australians in the world of the future'.

“I can add today that our ability to be economically productive and competitive in the future depends heavily on having infrastructure systems that are well managed and can support industrial and societal evolution and innovation.

“That is why I think there is great value in further developing and championing the research at SMART. It has been set up at the right time and is immediately gaining significant support and engagement with industry and world leading university research centres in the United Kingdom and North America.

“SMART has attracted a very talented and experienced group of experts to sit on the Advisory Council. I am looking forward to working with the Council and Garry Bowditch’s team.”

Dr Henry studied economics at the University of NSW and gained his doctorate at the University of Canterbury. He represented Australia at the OECD and served as the Secretary to The Commonwealth Treasury from 2001 to 2011 for the Howard, Rudd and Gillard Governments. On 1 June 2011, he was appointed as Special Advisor to the Prime Minister.

Media contact:  Alastair Walton  M: 0418 251 229  E: awalton@uow.edu.au