AICC(WA) Article: “Is our Workforce STEM able?”

Written following the AICC(WA) ECU futureNOW series sundowner event at the Perkins Institute of Medical

Research, on 30 April 2015, featuring the WA Chief Scientist Professor Peter Klinken, speaking on:

“Broadening the knowledge based economy in WA”.

Through its ECU FutureNOW series, the AICC(WA) has established an alliance with Student Edge, a member

based organisation to assist young students. This delivers critical engagement for young and future business

leaders, particularly apt for an event as important as Peter Klinken’s address “Broadening the knowledge-

based economy in WA”. It was no surprise to hear one of the Student Edge participants suggest the Chief

Scientists address “should have been a globally viral TED talk”.

Hosted at the prestigious Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research the April 2015 AICC(WA) ECU FutureNow

Sundowner was a timely, thought stimulating and provocative presentation. Through a facility tour and

introduction, Director Professor Peter Leedman was able to show how the Harry Perkins Institute exudes the

same passion, enthusiasm, and innovation culture as both the AICC(WA) and the Chief Scientist himself.

Professor Leedman also spoke of his inspirational participation in an AICC(WA) Israel delegation, which he

described “as a week of science and research in a country that does not fear failure”.

In attendance, from L to R - Professor Peter Leedman, Director, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Mrs Sue Clough, McRae

Investments Pty Ltd, Mrs Jean Perron , Mr Stan Perron, Founder & Chairman, The Perron Group, Professor Peter Klinken, WA's Chief

Scientist, Mr Larry Lopez, Vice-President, Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce (WA) and Partner, Australian Venture Consultants, Mr

Charles Bass, The Bass Group and Mrs Sylvia Bass, The Bass Group

Professors Peter Leedman (L) and Klinken (R) ECU Vice Chancellor and President Professor Steve Chapman

From L to R - Professor Peter Klinken, WA's Chief Scientist, Mr Charles Bass, The Bass Group, Honourable Liz Behjat MLC, Member for

North Metropolitan Region, Mr Larry Lopez, Vice-President, Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce (WA) and Partner, Australian

Venture Consultants, Professor Margaret Jones, Director, Office of Research and Innovation, Edith Cowan University

AICC(WA) delegates were also able to hear for the first time from recently appointed ECU Vice Chancellor and

President Professor Steve Chapman. The ECU, whose vision aligns with the Science Statement – Growing

Western Australia launched by the Premier on 21 April 2015, also champions innovation and shares a vision for

economic growth through enhanced scientific discipline.

Professor Peter Klinken has clearly enjoyed and prospered during his 9 months as Western Australia’s Chief

Scientist, and has already made his mark in shaping an economic future founded on the knowledge of science,

technology and innovation. Demonstrating cultural sensitivity, commercial foresight, practical objectives and

long-term vision, he submitted that future generations will look back and justifiably ask “why?” if we do not

take the opportunity we have at this moment in time to transform Western Australia from a resources

economy to a knowledge economy.

Citing examples such as geological research that have evidenced Western Australia’s capacity to develop self

sufficient expertise, Professor Klinken challenged the perception that goods and technologies need to be

imported to be cost competitive. He noted our State is stable and secure, clean and green, and these

elements need to be leveraged to attract new talent into local growth industries.

The State Strategy identifies five areas within which the advancement and application of science can help

broaden the economy and create a new generation of jobs. These are mining and energy; medicine and

health; agriculture and food; biodiversity and marine science; and radio astronomy. AICC(WA) Chief Executive

John Cluer was quick to note that Israel has applied scientific strength in each of these industries, and that

collaborative activity can deliver substantial benefits.

Amongst some of the more critical elements of the presentation, Professor Klinken submitted the following:

• WA can be a global leader by developing future industry technologies in markets such as sustainable

energy infrastructure, supercomputing, omics capabilities, ground penetrating imaging, and water

utilisation.

• Hard work is needed to develop and commercialise solutions in Western Australia. There is a

disconnect between academia and industry that costs significant opportunity to the local economy.

Professor Klinken offered a VIP formula – Vision, Investment, Planning. This is similar to the Israeli

model of technology transfer through the provision of venture capital and commercialisation that is

inherently built into the tertiary sector.

• There is an underinvestment in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) education, and

the value placed on these disciplines. Of the fastest growing occupations, 75% are reliant on STEM

technical competence.

• Scientists need to communicate better and excite the market. They have a story to tell and a

profession to sell.

• The City of Perth is maturing in a physical sense, inclusive of arts, culture and lifestyle attraction. An

emotional evolvement that is cultural and attitudinal needs to follow such that creativity and risk

taking entrepreneurship is embraced.

• All levels of Government have a role in de-risking projects for industry. “Governments can now play

in the middle space previously reserved exclusively for venture capitalists”.

Professor Klinken concluded that Australia’s future as a knowledge nation requires systemic change. He posed

that “If Australia was a company, what questions would you ask the Board?” His rhetoric response was to

demand a vision statement, a longer-term growth plan, and a direction for R&D investment. The analogy was

complemented by the critical observation that frequent board member turnover would stifle longer-term

outcomes.

Above all, the economic drivers within Australia need to focus on reduced commodity prices driven by local

production, the development of a next generation of industries, visionary leadership and advanced STEM

education.

“Time is running out. These are matters of urgency that we need to work together to address. Now is the

time to display resilience and embrace transformational change to bring forward a practical and viable

broadening of our economic base”.

30 April 2015

By coincidence, see the press announcement over page below, released on same day as

Professor Klinken’s address to the AICC(WA).

Science boost to inspire Western Australians 30 April 2015

Science engagement in Western Australia received a boost today with an agreement

between the Australian Government, the Western Australian Government and six

Western Australian institutions.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Science the Hon Karen

Andrews MP welcomed the agreement involving the Government, Western

Australia’s four universities, Engineering Australia (WA) and Scitech. The

partnership worth $1.5 million will deliver programmes over four years under the

national Inspiring Australia programme that showcases science.

“Inspiring Australia provides leadership, resources and support to build a science

literate knowledge nation,” said Mrs Andrews.

“It’s part of the Australian Government’s vision for a nation that is engaged with

science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM.

“We and our partners recognise that in high-performing economies business,

scientists, educators and policy makers work together.

“Our workforce increasingly needs STEM skills simply to do their jobs and a good

grounding in STEM will become even more imperative for the jobs of tomorrow,” Mrs

Andrews said.

Mrs Andrews said “Inspiring Australia is more than a government programme that

delivered activities, it’s unique in providing an integrated national approach to

science engagement and encouraging more young people into STEM based learning

and careers.”

“Inspiring Australia is a central part of engaging people in science, technology,

engineering and mathematics from their early childhood,” Mrs Andrews said.

The agreement is expected to boost Inspiring Australia’s successes in Western

Australia with more activities during National Science Week, and building regional

hubs to deliver year-round science events for local communities.

The Coalition Government is investing $28.1 million over four years to 2017-18, to

support Inspiring Australia and other Questacon educational programmes.