Batterham honoured as a champion of science and innovation

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Batterham honoured as a champion of science and innovation


Former Chief Scientist of Australia, Robin Batterham AO, was lauded for reinvigorating support for science in government and industry when he received an honorary degree from the University of Technology, Sydney on Monday. UTS awarded Professor Batterham a Doctor of Science (honoris causa) in recognition of "an outstanding contribution to the field of science as a research leader and Chief Scientist of Australia." The graduation ceremony for the UTS Faculty of Science was told that as Chief Scientist from 1999 to 2005 Professor Battherham had played "a key role in interfacing science, technology, innovation and government at all levels", and making "the innovations agenda the key to government thinking about science." "His approach has changed the way that government, industry and even scientists themselves regard science, and has reinvigorated support for science within Australia. "Professor Batterham's report The Chance to Change, released in November 2000, set out the directions for science and technology in Australia over the following decade - a plan supported by the Australian research community. "Through his tireless efforts it was accepted by the Federal Government, including substantial increases in support and funding for science. "He is widely recognised as one of the principal architects of the Australian Government's 2002 initiative, Backing Australia's Ability: Building Our Future Through Science and Innovation." Robin Batterham was educated at Brighton Grammar School and the University of Melbourne, from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering in 1965. He completed a PhD at the University of Melbourne in 1969. After a period with ICI Central Research Laboratories in England he returned to Australia and was employed as a research scientist by the CSIRO Division of Mineral and Process Engineering where he rose to Chief of that Division in 1985. Three years later he left CSIRO to join CRA, now Rio Tinto Ltd. As a researcher at CSIRO and then Rio Tinto, Professor Batterham undertook a significant number of innovative projects in the mineral processing field. Rio Tinto credits many of its industrial technology successes to Professor Batterham's work in technology development. Since stepping down as Chief Scientist of Australia he continues to serve on the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council. Wednesday 10 May 2006