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The University of Western Australia has welcomed the State Government's recognition of the key role its scientists play in the bid for one of the biggest science projects of the 21st century.

Welcoming the announcement of a $20 million International Radio Astronomy Research Centre, Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said the University was pleased by the State Government's recognition of its international expertise in radio astronomy and geothermal energy.

"The University has been a key driver of the $2 billion Square Kilometre Array project, to position Western Australia as the centre for the next generation radio telescope," said Professor Robson.  "The importance of the bid for Western Australia to be the site of the international project (over Southern Africa) cannot be underestimated."

The SKA funding recognises the pivotal role of the University's scientists and Premier's Fellows, Professors Peter Quinn and Lister Staveley-Smith.

The University also welcomed the funding for several new Centres of Excellence.

A conference, Deep Surveys of the Radio Universe with Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Pathfinders, will be held 31 March to 4 April 2008 at The University of Western Australia.

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Media references

Professor Alan Robson  61 8  6488 2809
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  61 8  6488 5563  /  0432 637 716