| MEDIA RELEASE: Securing Australia's Future Skills Base |
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Strategies to improve Australia’s competitiveness and productivity through a strong mathematical skills base will be the focus of a national forum in Canberra in February. Maths for the Future: Keep Australia Competitive will bring together key representatives from business, government, industry and education. “Here is an opportunity for us all to create a coherent action plan for the key players, public and private”, said Professor Geoff Prince, Director of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI). Professor Celia Hoyles, former mathematics advisor to the British Government, will discuss the initiatives employed in the UK that have improved standards, reversed teacher shortages and increased mathematics enrolments. Other speakers include Chief Scientist Ian Chubb, Senator Chris Evans, and IBM Australia’s Chief Technologist, Glenn Wightwick. “Coordinated measures can turn around the fortunes of this critical discipline and reach far beyond the confines of the classroom”, Professor Prince said. Mathematical and statistical skills are in high demand across all sectors of the economy. Most jobs in the Australian workforce involve some level of data interpretation and analysis. The mathematical literacy of the Australian population needs to be increased to meet this demand. “This is not simply about educating the next generation of elite mathematicians. It’s all about ensuring future generations can most effectively contribute to national productivity and wellbeing”, said Dr Ron Sandland, former Deputy Chief Executive of CSIRO and current Chair of the AMSI Board. Maths for the Future: Keep Australia Competitive will be held from 7-8 February 2012, University House, ANU, Canberra. The event is organised by the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute.
Media are welcome to attend this event. Opportunities for interviews with Celia Hoyles and other speakers will be available.
Contacts Professor Geoff Prince, AMSI Director, (03) 8344 1779 Emma Bland, Media and Communications, (03) 9035 3683
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