CQU Gladstone partnering up on STEM for regional Queensland
CQUniversity has been announced as the Gladstone-based hub provider of the new Queensland Government Partner-Up Queensland Regional Science & Innovation Network (The Network).
The Queensland Chief Scientist' Professor High Possingham was on hand to launch the Network which will be hosted at CQUniversity's Gladstone Marina campus' with support from Inspiring Australia STEM hub network' the Gladstone Connects team' Gladstone Regional Council' Australia Pacific LNG' Rio Tinto' StartUp Gladstone' Boyne Island Environmental Education Centre and the University's Coastal Marine Ecosystem Research Centre (CMERC).
The Network is a state-wide initiative of the Department of Environment and Science to increase opportunities for Queenslanders to engage with science and innovation in meaningful ways.
Science Minister Meaghan Scanlon said each regional hub will be provided with funding of up to $70'000 over 12 months to employ a regional coordinator to support events' activities and projects that encourage Queenslanders' participation and awareness of science and innovation within their region.
In total' three regional hubs will be established – in Gladstone' Toowoomba and Cairns – that will enable individuals and community groups to participate in a range of STEM-based (Science' Technology' Engineering and Mathematics) and innovation related activities.
"Science and innovation are helping to drive the Queensland Government's COVID-19 economic recovery plan – whether that's through renewable energy' advanced manufacturing or our education and research sector'" Minister Scanlon said.