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The postgraduate program
is designed to train scientists to be proficient in
cutting edge diagnostic techologies but also to enable
them to become key players in tomorrow's diagnostics
industry.
The program places a strengthening emphasis on communication
with the community on the benefits of diagnostics and
biotechnology, in collaboration with other CRCs.
Programs support personal and professional instruction
and development of four key client groups:
- CDx postgraduate students
- CDx staff
- The wider scientific community
- The general public
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Postgraduate Student Support
Financial and administrative support was provided to sustain
a continuous flow of 20+ postgraduate students per annum throughout
CDx. Support primarily was through a combination of full CDx
scholarships and an increasingly growing number of top-up
scholarships for university and externally-sponsored stipends,
raising these to APA-I rates. The outcome of the postgraduate
student support program were scientists that were highly sought
after in both academia and industry.
Many graduands proceeded
to careers in industry (Pharmacule, EvoGenix, CSL Ltd and
PANBIO) and others continued their medical research
training in leading research laboratories (Scripps Int., U.
Ontario and ICPMR).
The Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation
(DSTO) entered CDx as a Supporting Participant and
sponsored four full PhD scholarships based at LaTrobe
University and at CSIRO, co-supervised through La
Trobe University.
Staff Development Program
CDx endorsed the promotion and support of staff
professional development in a commercial environment.
Strengthening skills in IP management, communication, project
management, decision making and negotiation were of paramount
consideration in staff training. Initiatives were designed
to nurture personal and professional development of CDx staff
and students, enabling them to assume senior leadership positions
in both academic and industrial environments. Interest in
participating in professional development courses and conferences
was always high within the Centre.
Diagnostics Awareness Program
CDx represented a major entity in the Australian diagnostics
industry and placed a strong emphasis on informing and educating
the wider scientific and general communities on the latest
developments in diagnostics. Projects included:
International Symposia. In 2002 and again in 2004 and 2006, CDx
hosted AntibOz 1, 2 & 3, specialist conferences on Heron Island.
These conferences were sponsored by the 20 leading international
companies in immunodiagnostics and immunotherapeutics. Thes
stellar meetings brought together the leading competitors
in biopharmaceutical research.
International Visitors. Annual
reports feature the strong cooperative linkages forged
in the international diagnostics arena as evidenced by support
for visits to the nation by leading international scientists
and industry leaders.
Summer Vacation Scholarships. Each year, CDx provided
at least 10 local undergraduate students the opportunity to
spend 3-5 weeks conducting research alongside eminent scientists
on-site at any of the participating organisations.
Science Fairs & Activities. CDx regularly participated
in exhibit displays and scientific presentations at many national
and international scientific conferences (ASM, Lorne Protein
and Genome Conferences etc.,) fairs and seminars. Many of
these projects, such as National Science Week, often were prepared
in association with other CRCs. Consult past annual
reports for examples.
Diagnostics Promotion and Sponsorship. CDx contributed
to general promotional activities including financial sponsorship
and prizes for diagnostics-related events. These includde the
Diagnostics
Prize for the QUT Biotechnology Degree, ASMR Student Awards,
AMP Science Awards etc. The CDx website also delivered quality
diagnostics information
for a new generation of informed information surfers.
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