Visiting Flinders yesterday, Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb, said that Australia needs to make a strong commitment to research investment if it “wants to stay in the game”.

Professor Chubb (pictured), who is a former Vice-Chancellor of Flinders, is also chair of the Australian Research Committee. He said a principal focus in coming months will be preparing a plan on research investment for the Government.

“There are some things we do better than most, but there are also vulnerabilities,” Professor Chubb said.

He said that it was vital that Australia made appropriate and timely investment in its research.

“The real issue is that you can’t let the gaps between Australia and its competitors get too big, because gaps can get so big you can’t fill them,” he said.

While on campus, Professor Chubb discussed the University’s initiatives in science and maths education and training, and was briefed on the work of the University’s specialist scientific research centres by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) Professor David Day and other senior staff.

Professor Chubb also visited the Australian Science and Maths School, the Medical Device Partnering Program and and the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training.

Professor Chubb’s advice to Government was instrumental in a major Budget allocation for programs to boost the numbers of science and maths students coming to university. He will deliver a report on the health of science in Australia on May 23.