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Program 5: Education(Program Leader: Prof Howard Choat, JCU)ObjectiveTo provide scholarships and support for outstanding tertiary students to conduct specialist Reef research, and to develop continuing education programs. StrategyIn its second year, the Education Program extended research training through the allocation of higher degree scholarships. Other activities within the Program included dissemination of technical knowledge relating to research activities of the Centre. Workshops provided updates of selected techniques and community forums presented findings for evaluation and feedback. Postgraduate students working through the Centre are supported in two ways. First, by direct contributions of student stipends in the form of postgraduate awards. At present 25 students have been supported this way. Of these, 19 awards are dedicated to specific programs. A further two awards were made through the Education Program to students working within fields of study relevant to the Centre's objectives but not committed to a particular program. These general awards provide flexibility within the program and the ability to support excellent students. Second, a further 21 students have been provided with research funding support through the relevant programs. These include postgraduate students employed by collaborating institutions such as AIMS and QDPI.
Of the 21 CRC Postgraduate awards now allocated, 13 are 1995 enrolments - five more than originally planned. The Education Program awarded the first Graeme Kelleher Prize of $3,000 to Kerry van Donderen, a 4th year Engineering student. The development of the postgraduate award scheme has provided a valuable link between the Centre, industry and associated departments responsible for the supervision and academic administration required by James Cook University. These links are being further strengthened by the establishment of the new James Cook University PhD rules which enhance opportunities for external review of student study programs. Distribution of student awards among various disciplines reflects the broad range of cooperative multidisciplinary research studies. Current student awards include enrolments through Marine Biology, Botany and Tropical Agriculture, Civil and Systems Engineering, Earth Sciences, Tropical Environmental Studies and Geography, and Tourism. The Centre recognises the need to maintain a high profile of its activities with potential student applicants and fosters awareness of the postgraduate student activities among CRC researchers. Developments for 1996 include an augmentative research award program for honours students and sponsoring a postgraduate student conference. The Centre will also provide financial support for some students to attend the 1996 8th International Coral Reef Symposium in Panama - the major global forum for coral reef researchers which meets every four years. The intention to impose tax on postgraduate stipends by the Australian Taxation Office is a serious problem which, unless a resolution is immediately determined at Government level, will cost this Centre about $100,000 per year. Meeting these costs will necessitate cancellation of several research tasks and/or doing away with up to seven postgraduate scholarships out of a target of 28. The second element of the Education Program was developing workshops to publicise the results of CRC-based research. One objective of the workshops is fostering collaboration between CRC staff, the public and other institutions. A number of research tasks rely on public cooperation and willingness to assist in the collection of data. The Education Program provides the means to encourage public participation in the research process. A workshop on Fisheries Biology for the Fishing Community provided information on the Effects of Fishing program (Project 2.4) and associated research projects. This topic was chosen as the investigation into the effects of fishing is one of the high profile activities within the Centre and one which relies heavily on industry and public support and participation. The presentation was well received and generated a great deal of valuable feedback. The next phase will repeat this presentation regionally in collaboration with recreational fishing clubs. A major benefit for researchers will be enhanced community assistance with tagging and recapture programs and provision of material for reef fish age and growth studies. The workshop will provide a model for similar presentations on a range of CRC Reef research activities. |
