As part of the 2003-04 Federal Budget, the Australian Government announced the establishment of five International Centres of Excellence.
The Centres will build an international profile for Australia's expertise and education excellence, and enhance Australia's capacity and national skills base and research and professional development through strategic collaborations with domestic and international expert organisations. The Centres will internationally showcase Australia's scientific, educational and administrative capabilities in their respective areas.
The Centres will develop world class staffing profiles and facilities to deliver a range of activities that will support their operation. These may include:
Establishment of formal networks with strategic overseas counterparts including research, government, education, business, media and non-government organisations and experts with relevant knowledge;
Exchange of staff and students for consultancy services and research;
Collaborative projects, information exchanges, joint conferences and workshops, discussion forums on policy issues related to specific areas and technology transfer;
Diffusion of expertise in education in schools and the tertiary sector where appropriate; and
Support for innovative approaches to research, teaching and learning at all levels.
The following Centres have been established:
International Centre of Excellence in Asia Pacific Studies and the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy are located at the Australian National University in Canberra. (http://iceaps.anu.edu.au/)
International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education is located at the Cooperative Research Centre in Sustainable Tourism (CRCST) at Griffith University. (http://www.the-ice.org/)
International Centre of Excellence for Education in Mathematics has been established by the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) based at the University of Melbourne. (http://www.ice-em.org.au/)
International Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Management has been established by a consortium of eight members representing universities and industry, operating as WaterEd Australia. The Centre is based at the University of Adelaide. (http://www.icewarm.com.au/)
International Centre of Excellence in Sports Science and Management has been established by a partnership between the University of Sydney, the University of Technology Sydney, and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. The Centre is based at Sydney Olympic Park. (http://www.sportedu.org/)
For further information please contact the Centres through their websites.