Annual Report 2008 - Central Queensland University

CENTRE FOR MUCOSAL IMMUNOLOGY
This group, led by Professor Jennelle Kyd, investigates the causes of respiratory and
middle ear infections and understanding bacterial interactions to seek solutions in
order to identify mechanisms for disease prevention. The research is predominantly
funded by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants and
works closely with health researchers and the medical research industries.
Education Research
This is a new research priority and is being led by Professor Paul Rodan. It brings
together researchers and is developing new research programs in the following areas:
• International education research on policy, graduate attributes, language and culture.
• Pedagogy, curriculum and delivery modes.
• Education policy and practice.
Cooperative Research Centres (CRCS)
The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) program was established by the Australian
Government to strengthen links between industry, research organisations,
educational institutions and government agencies. During 2008, CQUniversity was a
Research Partner in two CRCs, described below. CQUniversity was also an Affiliate
in the Cotton Catchment Communities Research CRC.
CRC FOR RAILWAY INNOVATION
A new CRC for Rail Innovation commenced activity in 2007, replacing the previous
CRC for Railway Engineering and Technologies which was hosted by CQUniversity.
CQUniversity remains the lead institution, however the new company structure has
its own independent headquarters in Brisbane. The previous Rail CRC had reached
the end of its six year funding period, having delivered over 40 projects. The CRC
program will contribute $21 million, with a further cash and in-kind contribution of
approximately $80 million from the new CRC for Rail Innovation core participants.
Following the conclusion of the original Rail CRC, a company called Rail Innovation
Australia Pty Ltd was created to hold the intellectual property developed and to seek
to commercialise key technologies. Rail Innovation Australia Pty Ltd will be based at
CQUniversity Rockhampton. www.railcrc.net.au
CAST CRC
The CAST Cooperative Research Centre commenced in July 2005. The Centre
continues and extends research related activities on light metals previously carried
out by the CRC for CAST Metals Manufacturing from 1999 to 2005 and the CRC
for Alloy and Solidification Technology, which operated between 1993 and 1999.
CAST is recognised as a strategic asset to the light metals industry in Australia
through partnerships developed between complementary groups within Australia’s
research, industry, education and government sectors. The structure and
management of CAST underpins the Centre’s success in taking innovative research
from the realm of abstract ideas to providing solutions to problems facing the
Australian light metals industry. www.cast.org.au
Quality and Impact of Research Outcomes
The University was successful in both ARC and NH&MRC grant rounds.
The development of training and peer review processes has improved the
competitiveness of applications to the competitive grant funding agencies.
CQUniversity
has developed
a national and
international
reputation for
research projects
of relevance to the
railway industry. In
a sector where even
small improvements
can mean millions
of dollars in savings,
and where safety is
of huge importance,
our leading role
has been crucial to
development of the
resource industries
which underpin our
economy.
Rail OZ-ECP brake technology for trains developed in the Centre for Rail
Engineering and the Rail CRC was successfully funded under commercialization
competitive funding for final product development phases. This research product
is expected to increase Australian rail network capacity, increase safety, decrease
stopping distances and provide a cheaper capital upgrade cost for rail operators than
existing technologies on the international market. It is now being commercialized
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