Head of new "Powerhouse of Science" is announced

Thursday, 29 November 2001

Adelaide University has today announced the appointment of Professor Edwina Cornish as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, the new powerhouse of scientific endeavour which will be created through the merger of the University's Faculty of Science and Faculty of Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences on 1 January 2002. Professor Cornish will hold the position concurrently with her present role as the University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

"The new Faculty will build on Adelaide University's role as an Australian leader in the sciences and will reinforce its already strong international reputation," Professor Cornish said. "It will be a powerhouse of education and research in a wide range of basic science disciplines. The Faculty will offer students greater study opportunities and provide pathways to advanced study in exciting areas such as biotechnology, entomology, natural resource management, viticulture and oenology, photonics and nano-technology.

"It will bring together the University's strengths in biological, physical, environmental and agricultural sciences, exposing students to the excitement of "living science". Links with federal and state government agencies and commercial companies mean that our students will be exposed to education and research opportunities at the forefront of current science practices."

The Faculty of Sciences will operate across three of the University's campuses: North Terrace, Roseworthy and the Waite. Professor Cornish said that the benefits of creating a critical mass of researchers could be seen from the collocation initiatives at both Roseworthy and Waite in recent years.

"More than $5.3 million has been invested in infrastructure at Roseworthy in the past two years by the University and its collocated partners, particularly the State Government, through the South Australian Research and Development Institute, and Primary Industries and Resources SA," she said, "This is part of the University's vision of developing Roseworthy as a center for tertiary education and research focused on dryland agriculture, livestock industry, and environmental management.

"The collocation of animal scientists has provided a critical mass of 65 researchers at Roseworthy, the biggest grouping of livestock researchers in Australia. Roseworthy's research collaborations with government and industry partners are growing rapidly, linkages with TAFE programs are being expanded and short course opportunities with industry and the rural community are being further developed."

Professor Cornish also announced that Adelaide University had defied the national trend by recording significant increases in first-place preferences for both the B. Ag and B.Ag. Sc. degree programs in 2002.

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