ANU pirate proves – & survives – “super rogue wave”

04/04/2012 by
Pirate waiting for the wave

ANU News Room    4 April 2012 Scientists have used a Lego pirate floating in a fishtank to demonstrate for the first time that so-called ‘super rogue waves’ can come from nowhere in apparently calm seas and engulf ships. The research team, led by Professor Nail Akhmediev of the Research School of Physics and Engineering at ANU, working with colleagues from Hamburg University of Technology and the University of Turin have been conducting experiments in nonlinear dynamics, to try and explain so-called rogue or killer waves. These high-impact ‘monsters of the deep’, can appear in otherwise tranquil oceans causing danger, and even sinking ships.  Using a scientific fish tank, a wave … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ANU, Science Tagged With: ,

Science graduates struggle for jobs in science

04/04/2012 by
How many is too many?

Conventional wisdom is that science education in Australia is in something of the doldrums, to the detriment of the long term future of the nation.  Chief Scientist Ian Chubb recently stated that “We need a growing pool of science graduates to ensure Australia will be able to continue to compete on the international stage and develop scientific solutions to problems facing our nation,”   And the  Australian Mathematical Science Institute, championed by Nobel laureate Brian Schmidt, constantly points to a need to reverse alarming “shortages in maths, statistics and engineering enrolments at universities.”   But it turns out that there doesn’t seem to be a shortage of scientists at all, let … [Read more...]

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Race to the bottom on funding

04/04/2012 by
vicki thomson

Although the recent Base Funding Review clearly established a case for increased funding to universities, Australia’s political parties are in a “race to the bottom” when it comes to funding, according to the Australian Technology Network's Vicki Thomson. She asked: …… just what is the point of exploring the outcomes of the Base Funding Review before we, as a sector, have faced up to the fact that we shouldn’t be in this invidious position in the first place? The higher education sector needs to start publicising its importance to society and the economy, according to Thomson.  Speaking at a conference, Thomson said the sector has little political clout, and most of what it possesses comes … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Australian Technology Network, universities Tagged With: , , , , ,

Issues of university governance

04/04/2012 by
Greg Craven

Issues of university governance Australian Catholic University vice-chancellor Professor Greg Craven has told a conference that the anxiety in the sector over the new sector regulatory body is understandable, but somewhat exaggerated.  An example, said Craven, were the concerned whispers he had heard about several universities receiving letters from TEQSA.  “Let me break the awful news to you: you are all going to sooner or later receive a letter from TEQSA, and we will probably get to the point where every single one of us has at least one missive from TEQSA on one subject at any given point in time,” he said. It really depends on what the letters are about.   Stephen Matchett … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ANU, Australian Catholic University, universities Tagged With: , ,

The Scan 4 April 2012

04/04/2012 by
Uni Adelaide

Control and click headlines and highlights to link to articles Links may not work unless you or your organisation is a paid subscriber to the originating media outlet.  Check with your communications people about subscriptions. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SA unis explore merger options The chancellors of University of Adelaide and University of South Australia actively explored a merger earlier this year only to decide the costs risked outweighing the benefits.  However, UniSA vice-chancellor Peter Hoj described the talks as only being "on hold". He said the economies of scale and the state's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ANU, Australian Technology Network, Technology, University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, Vocational education & training Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,