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Deakin only Australian university selected for Ford’s global challenge!
Deakin University is one of just five universities worldwide, and the only Australian university, selected to take part in the “Creating a Ford Model T for this Century University Challenge.
The aim of the challenge, set up by the Ford Motor Company as part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the fabled Model T - the car the changed the 20th Century - is to come up with a revolutionary concept that will drive the future of the automotive industry.
Deakin’s concept proposal will be delivered to Ford in early September. The two concepts that best meet the Challenge criteria will be announced at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Model T on 1 October.
The winning teams will each receive a US$25,000 scholarship from Ford Global Technologies.
The Head of Deakin’s School of Engineering and Information Technology, Professor Kate Smith-Miles, said that Deakin’s involvement in the Challenge was a fantastic opportunity for the University.
“It is a great honour that Ford has selected Deakin to be the only Australian university to be involved in the Model T Challenge,” Professor Smith-Miles said.
“Taking part in the Challenge will allow Deakin to showcase the innovation and skills of our Engineering and IT researchers and students to an international audience.
“Our invitation is recognition of the long standing partnership between Deakin University and Ford, both locally and in the USA via collaborative R&D programs, and also through the provision of undergraduate and postgraduate programs to the employees of Ford Australia.”
The Challenge will be undertaken by staff and students from Deakin’s School of Engineering and Information Technology, School of Architecture and Building, and Centre for Materials and Fibre Innovation.
The Lollypop Ladies for Health and Nutrition
Dr Karen Campbell sees herself as a kind of Lollypop Lady for Health and Nutrition.
“We take seriously the safety of our children when they go to school by having Lollypop Ladies to make sure they get across the road properly,” she says.
“As a community I think we need to have that same level of commitment to the safety of our children when it comes to healthy eating and ensuring they’re involved in physical activity.
“So maybe what we’re trying to do at Deakin with the InFANT program makes me and my colleagues Lollypop Ladies in those areas, albeit with a sugar free lollypop.”
The InFANT program, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, will investigate the feasibility of providing first-time mothers with the knowledge and skills that will help them make the best decisions about their children’s health, particularly in relation to promoting health weight.
The research team includes some of not just Deakin’s but Australia’s finest in the field of children’s health – Kylie Hesketh, David Crawford, Jo Salmon, Kylie Ball, Sarah McNaughton, and Dr Zoe McCallum from Melbourne University’s Department of Paediatrics.
The program will make use of an already existing network, The Maternal and Child Health Centre’s First Time Parent’s Groups.
Research Services Division:
Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds
Pigdons Road, Geelong, Victoria 3217 Australia
Telephone: +61 3 5227 2673 Facsimile:
+61 3 5227 2175
Email: dvc-research@deakin.edu.au
www.deakin.edu.au/research
Deakin Research Updates - back copies
Back issues of Deakin Research Updates are available at: www.deakin.edu.au/research
Saving civilisation
Robyn Williams, Australia’s pre-eminent science broadcaster, has urged Deakin researchers to do their bit to "save civilisation".
“Science communication is the key to saving civilisation,” Robyn said to a packed house at the Geelong Technology Precinct, as well as those listening by video-link on the university’s Burwood Campus.
“As a society, as a community, we have so many important decisions to make about the future.
“To be able to do this in the most informed way, we need your help as scientists.
“And that means as well as doing your research, you need to be able to communicate it effectively.”
Williams, who presents the Science Show, Ockham’s Razor and In Conversation on ABC Radio National, was a guest of Deakin’s first Federation Fellow, Professor Peter Hodgson.
The Neil Archbold Memorial Travel Award and Medal
Deakin University is to honour one its finest researchers, Professor Neil Archbold, with the establishment of a new travel award and medal.
“Professor Archbold was not just a wonderful researcher, he was universally loved,” said the Executive Officer Higher Degrees by Research, Grant Michie.
“His death in 2005 was a tremendous loss for Deakin and for his many, many friends around the world.
“This travel award and medal will keep his name alive. It will also do something that Neil himself would have applauded, providing support to young researchers.
“Neil was actively involved in all facets of research and research training at Deakin.
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