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Minister of Research, Science and Technology visits ChristchurchThe Minister of Research, Science and Technology, Dr Wayne Mapp, visited the Christchurch campus recently and gave a clear message that the Government will be pushing hard to “enhance the migration of science from the laboratory to the marketplace”. Dr Mapp was taking part in the annual Mid-Winter Dialogue Series, chaired by the Dean, Professor Peter Joyce, and outlined the Government’s strategic objectives in research. Not only did he stress that scientific and health research should translate to economic growth through more effective market orientation, but that the way the research system operates and is funded needs to be simplified. “The Health Research Council is simplifying their application processes, as are the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology and the Marsden Fund,” he said. “ All three agencies have taken to the task with enthusiasm; the only thing I would ask is why didn’t it happen earlier?” The Minister also addressed the need for greater targeting of research investment and the setting of new priorities, but he said that a collaborative approach would be taken in this process. These priorities will influence the 2010 budget and are to be decided in the next three months, aiming at reallocation of some resources in the total research budget. The Minster recognised the strength of health research in Christchurch and the ongoing positive partnership with the CDHB. After his address and a relaxed discussion with the audience, Dr Mapp visited the Free Radical Research Laboratory, followed by the innovative MARS-CT project led by Dr Anthony Butler. This project is developing a ground-breaking colour CT scanner for use in the diagnosis of breast cancer and heart disease.
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