| MEDIA RELEASE: Making Maths Count for new Cabinet Ministers |
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13 December 2011 AMSI has welcomed the Government’s decision to reintegrate the science and research portfolio areas with higher education. “AMSI looks forward to a productive relationship with Ministers Evans and Combet. Our essential work in higher education, research and science will be facilitated by the merge”, said Professor Geoff Prince, Director of AMSI. “These areas are natural partners and together require strong Government support and progressive policies”, he said. A strong mathematical skills base is essential to Australia’s productivity growth. Mathematics and statistics are fundamental to solving complex problems in climate change, public health, transport, mining and many other areas. AMSI warmly acknowledges the achievement of outgoing Minister for Innovation, Senator Kim Carr, in raising the profile of the mathematical sciences within Government, and for his support of research and advocacy for universities. AMSI will be working closely with the Chief Scientist to explore measures to increase enrolments in mathematics and statistics subjects at university level. This follows the Government’s recent decision to axe the HECS discount for mathematics and science subjects without investing the money in alternative measures to boost enrolments. There is a predicted 55% increase in demand by 2020 for mathematics and statistics PhD graduates across all sectors of the economy, yet actual workforce numbers are declining.
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