Impact Studies Begin
The Department of Innovation, Science and Research has commissioned the Allen Consulting Group to undertake an assessment of the economic, social and environmental impacts of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) program. This study builds on the work of previous studies to assess the impacts of the CRC program from 1991 to 2016-17.
The Allen Consulting Group will begin contacting stakeholders in mid November seeking inputs for the study including evidence and data to be used in the development of case studies.
If you would like to contribute or for more details of the study please contact Dr John Bell or Alastair McArthur on (02) 6204 6500 or via email at amcarthur@allenconsult.com.au
Benchmarking Study
The CRC Association has commissioned Qualdata to develop an annual benchmarking survey for CRCs to provide guidance to CRCs on best management practice. In the first instance, Qualdata will be identifying common benchmarks from CRC's Annual Reports. The first year's study will also include a Remuneration Review. The CRCA's last remuneration survey was conducted in 2008 and is still available to Members. The Association intends to update it every two years.
Gordon Stone is the principal consultant on the Performance Benchmarking Study and can be contacted on (07) 4615 2255 or gordon@cdi.net.au.
International Study
The Department of Innovation will also be sending out an International collaboration study in the next few days. International collaboration is an important, and often under-reported component of CRCs. The survey is not onerous for an individual CRC and will supply important information for the whole program. The Department supplies regular information to the Minister and Senior Executive on the work each CRC is doing with international organisations, so this is a good chance to promote your work.
Education study
Nigel Palmer from Melbourne University's Centre for the Study of Higher Education is attempting to define factors that add the most value to a PhD study experience. We want to catalogue what works best for enhancing the PhD experience of students. If you have thoughts or evidence for this study, contact Nigel. The first phase of this study will be presented at Collaborate | Innovate | 2012.
The Association and DIISR are aware that CRCs get asked for a lot of information from time-to-time. We are trying to collaborate as much as possible to ensure CRCs are not hassled to repeat information too often. We hope CRCs understand that each study is important to demonstrate the impact of the program.
Leadership Development Opportunity for Experienced Leaders in 2012
TRAILblazers is the exclusive and well-commended seasoned leaders' leadership development program based in Canberra run by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.
The program runs 23-31 March 2012 with an investment of $11,000 incl GST, fully residential, excluding transport to and from Canberra.
Spaces are limited to 12 maximum.
To register and save your spot, please go here:
http://www.rural-leaders.com.au/programs/trailblazers
Talking about Impact....
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been showcased this past weekend in Melbourne. Inspecting the Dreamliner at Melbourne International Airport, Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr said the innovation embedded in the Dreamliner's wing surfaces is a great example of world-leading Australian ingenuity and research.
"New materials developed in collaboration with the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Advanced Composite Structures have integrated Australian manufacturing into global supply chains for the Dreamliner," Senator Carr said.
About 4 per cent of the aircraft - the composite moveable trailing edge wing surfaces - are manufactured at Boeing Australia's Fisherman's Bend plant and shipped for assembly to Boeing's US factory in Everett, Washington state.
The CRC for Advanced Composites won a CRCA Excellence in Innovation Award in 2005 for work on the Dreamliner. With some 800 Dreamliners sold, the high-end manufacturing jobs will be for the long-term in Melbourne.
In his speech to the Australian Parliament, President Barack Obama, referred to technological ties between the United States and Australia, singling out work Victorian aerospace work.
... and in agriculture
Three out of four of the finalists in the Shell Innovation Challenge's Agriculture and Food section are from CRCs. congratulations to National Plant Biosecurity, Seafood and Invasive Animals CRCs on your success. Read about the finalists here.
Communities of Interest
The Cooperative Research Centres Association convenes communities of interest in Research Leadership, Education, Research Business, and Communications. Last week in Perth the Educators exchanged information and views on a range of issues relating to postgraduate training and vocational training. Two additional meetings will be convened before the end of the year, for the Research Business group and the Communicators Group (see below for details). All Members, Associate Members and Affiliate Members are welcome to attend our communities of interest to catch up on the latest in your area.
Research Business Interest Group
Better intellectual property management via TotalPatent and Patent Enforcer. Updates on DIISR reporting. Business Simplification project reports. Register for this event by 25 November.
Communicators Interest Group Canberra 7 and 8 December
Join government communication manager's to discuss "The War on Science" at the national Convention Centre on the 7th; meet other CRC Communicators for dinner that evening and on the 8th we will cover a range of topics from websites; CRC branding; the new Awards program and the CRC Impact study. Register for this event by 1 December.
Hynes Lawyers – legal solutions for CRCs
Hynes Lawyers is a specialist, high quality commercial legal practice. By combining an understanding of your business with our industry-specific knowledge and legal skills, Hynes Lawyers provide tailored legal solutions that are specific to your CRC.
Our intellectual property and technology team consists of eight highly experience lawyers most of whom have experience working in scientific research organisations, either as scientists themselves or in a legal/IP capacity. The team is headed by Kerrin Anderson, who has been working with CRCs for over 15 years and has advised over 50 CRCs on all facets of CRC operations. Our advice and expertise ranges from bid preparation, establishment, research and commercialisation, and governance, to disputes, restructuring, winding up, transitioning and establishing spin-off companies/centres. Regardless of the area your CRC operates in, Hynes Lawyers has the expertise to assist your CRC to achieve its objectives.
If you would like to know more about how Hynes Lawyers can assist your CRC please call Kerrin Anderson on 07 3828 5508.
New law regarding board limits may catch some CRC Companies
If your CRC company is a company limited by guarantee and the number of directors you have is less than the maximum allowed under your constitution you may be caught by the new laws on declaring 'no vacancies' for public companies that came into effect on 1 July 2011. Under the new law, if:
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the company's constitution sets a maximum number of directors that may be appointed;
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the constitution does not require the maximum number of directors to be appointed; and
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the board seeks to limit the number of directors to be appointed to less than the maximum number (board limit),
the consent of the company's members must be obtained by resolution at a general meeting in order for the board limit to be valid.
Where a board limit is to be voted on by members at a general meeting, the company must satisfy a number of requirements regarding:
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the information to be given to members prior to the meeting regarding the board limit;
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what voting instructions must be provided to members; and
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the keeping of records in relation to the resolution.
If you do not satisfy these requirements, the board limit and all appointments made in reliance on the board limit will be invalid. In addition, the company or its board may be fined or be subject to legal action for compensation by people who suffered loss due to reliance on an invalid board limit.
If a board limit is approved by members, it will be valid only until the next annual general meeting (AGM) and if it is to remain valid, it must be approved again by members at each successive AGM (with the board each time satisfying the conditions mentioned above).
Please contact Kerrin Anderson on (07) 3828 5508 if you would like advice on your obligations under the new law, or you are seeking to establish a new board limit.
This article is provided for information purposes only and should not be regarded as legal advice.
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