Federal minister to officially open Australian Institute for Innovative Materials

Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, will officially open the Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM) at UOW’s Innovation Campus on Monday (9 March).

The official party at the opening will include the CEO of the Australian Research Council, Professor Margaret Sheil; the Federal Member for Cunningham, Ms Sharon Bird; the Federal Member for Throsby, Ms Jennie George; UOW Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gerard Sutton; the Director of the Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, Professor Shi Xue Dou; and the Director of the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, Professor Gordon Wallace.

Professor Sheil recently announced that the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science will receive a further $7.7 million in funding from July 2010 until December 2013. The funding announcement follows an external Review Panel’s recommendation that funding be extended as the centre had developed a strong profile in Australia and overseas.

TIME: Midday, Monday 9 March

WHERE: Foyer of the AIIM Building, Innovation Campus, Squires Way, Fairy Meadow (note: not the main campus)

Media will have filming/photo opportunities just ahead of the official party taking a tour of the new building. Media are also welcome to participate in the tour. [OH&S requirements specify that anyone undertaking a laboratory tour should wear enclosed footwear (for example, no stiletto heels) and safety glasses will be provided]

Note: Background information on the two key research institutes located in the Australian Institute for Innovative Materials Building will be available at the opening

Last reviewed: 6 March, 2009