Work-integrated learning internships for Flinders University undergrad students, and strategies for enhanced industry engagement for fourth-year and graduate student projects, were two discussion themes at the first meeting of the Flinders Science-Industry Advisory Board.

SA science industry leaders, including the inaugural chair Dr Leanna Read (former SA Chief Scientist) joined Flinders College of Science and Engineering senior staff members at the first board meeting at Victoria Square last month.

As well as focusing on advancing student learning, and maximising industry perspective in their education, the board will act as a conduit for representatives from industry to inform Flinders University of graduate requirements.

“The Flinders Science-Industry Advisory Board is first and foremost student focused but will also help us to identify what a science graduate in 2020 should look like,” says Professor Jamie Quinton, who joins College of Science and Engineering Dean (Education) Professor Karen Burke da Silva, Strategic Professor Patrick Hesp, hydrogeologist Dr Dylan Irvine, Associate Professor Ingo Köper and Professor Murk Bottema on the board.

“Industry board members will advise us on how our courses, curricula and research training can instil the skills that will be of most value to our graduates,” Professor Quinton says.

The University’s Innovation and Enterprise student entrepreneurship strategy is also supporting the initiative.

Among the high-level experts on the board are:

• Biotech expert Dr Read, who was SA’s Chief Scientist for the past four years, and now CEO of the CRC for Cell Therapy Manufacturing and related spinout companies Carina Biotech and TekCyte Pty Ltd
• State Government water expert Ben Bruce
• SA Government ICT and digital economy expert Dr Eva Balan-Vnuk
• Supashock founder Oscar Fiorinotto
• Wine Australia program manager Dr Paul Smith
• atomic physics and laser optics STEM expert Dr Olivia Samardzic
• marine biologist Professor Gavin Begg, director of the State Government SA Research and Development Institute, part of PIRSA)
• BHP Olympic Dam Head of Geoscience and Resource Engineering Amanda Weir
• Forensic Science SA director Professor Chris Pearson
• Mr Kirk Drage, CEO of business development company LeapSheep.

Dr Read, Dr Samardzic, Dr Smith, Professor Pearson and Dr Irvine are all proud Flinders alumni.