NICTA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| NICTA | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | Company limited by guarantee |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia |
| Key people | David Skellern, CEO |
| Industry | Information and Communications Technology Research |
| Employees | 400 |
| Website | nicta.com.au |
NICTA is Australia's national information and communication technology research centre of excellence. It was previously known as National ICT Australia.
NICTA's mission is to be an enduring world-class research institute in Information and Communications Technology that generates national benefit[1]. It conducts research into computer science, software engineering, telecommunications, electrical engineering, bioinformatics and related disciplines.
NICTA aims to take a systematic approach to transfer the outcomes of such research into use. The company is focused on outcomes for national benefit including extensive commercialisation of its research and enhanced PhD training.
NICTA's research is structured around themes, and business areas (see below). Specific defined pieces of research with external parties are conducted as research projects (see below).
Contents |
[edit] Themes and Business Areas
NICTA has four research themes. These are the collection of technical disciplines in which NICTA has a strong research capability, and are intended to provide a platform of knowledge and technology for NICTA's research projects. The themes are:
- Embedded Systems
- Networked Systems
- Making Sense of Data
- Managing Complexity
NICTA directs its research to address the needs of specific business areas of relevance to Australia. These six business areas are:
- Biomedical and Life Sciences
- Intelligent Transport Systems
- Safety and Security
- Environment Management
- Mobile Systems and Services
- Software Infrastructure
[edit] Research Approach
NICTA's research philosophy is called use-inspired basic research.[citation needed] Unlike pure basic research, NICTA seeks to develop improved technology, but unlike pure applied research, NICTA also seeks to develop improved fundamental understanding. The approach is inspired heavily by ideas from Pasteur's Quadrant[2].
[edit] Research Projects
NICTA's research projects have a defined scope and duration, and are the main mechanism for intensive collaboration with external parties. A few examples are:
- Cancer Genomics
- Dynamic Planning, Optimisation and Learning
- Mapping Genetic Components in Crops
- Smart Applications for Emergencies
- Smart Transport and Roads
- Water Information Networks
[edit] Locations
NICTA has over 400 staff and over 250 research students spread across five cities:
- ATP Laboratory and Headquarters, Australian Technology Park, Sydney
- Neville Roach Laboratory, Kensington, Sydney
- Canberra Research Laboratory, Northbourne Avenue, Canberra
- Queensland Research Laboratory, Adelaide Street, Brisbane
- Victoria Research Laboratory, University of Melbourne, Melbourne
- An education unit in Adelaide
[edit] Funding
The Australian Government provides around 60% of NICTA's funding[citation needed], through the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and the Australian Research Council. Further funding and contributions are provided by state governments, partner organisations and commercial companies.
[edit] History
In 2002, NICTA won a competitive selection process to be established as Australia's national centre of excellence in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) research, under an Australian Government policy initiative to promote science and innovation called Backing Australia's Ability[3]. The creation of the centre was intended to address a previously identified weakness in long-term strategic ICT research in Australia.[4] NICTA was officially opened on 27 February 2003[5].
The founding members of NICTA were the University of New South Wales, Australian National University, the NSW Government, and the ACT Government. NICTA later acquired other university and government partners. In January 2003, The University of Sydney became a member. In July 2004, the Victorian Government and The University of Melbourne became members.[6] In January 2005, the Queensland Government, the University of Queensland, Griffith University, and the Queensland University of Technology became members.[7]
The initial research groups in NICTA were largely formed from existing research groups from its member and partner universities. Additionally, NICTA has attracted staff from Australia and around the world to undertake it research agenda.
[edit] References
- ^ NICTA web page (2007). Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
- ^ Donald E. Stokes, Pasteur's Quadrant - Basic Science and Technological Innovation, Brookings Institution Press, 1997.
- ^ DCITA page on ICT Centre of Excellence—National ICT Australia (NICTA) (November 2, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-04-11.
- ^ ZDNet Australia news article NICTA: Fighting Australia's brain drain (April 7, 2003). Retrieved on 2007-04-12.
- ^ Text of speech by Senator the Hon Richard Alston, the Minister for Communications, IT and the Arts (February 27, 2003). Retrieved on 2007-04-11.
- ^ Connecting Victoria No. 15 (Victorian Government ICT Newsletter) (July 2004). Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
- ^ Queensland Ministerial Media Statement High Tech Lab To Research E-Security And Counter-Terrorism (February 18, 2005). Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
