$10m program to put eResearch in synch
[ Research Review 0307 ]
The University of Melbourne, in partnership with Monash University and the Victorian Government, is part of a new $10 million program to enable collaborative eResearch and sharing of scientific knowledge globally via advanced information and communication technology.
The Victorian eResearch Strategic Initiative (VeRSI) is a State Government strategy to position Victoria as a leader in global collaborative research.
The initiative was launched at the Australian Synchrotron by Minister for Information and Communication Technology Marsha Thompson, Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty from the University of Melbourne and Professor Edwina Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Monash University.
Professor Doherty said one of the greatest challenges of our time is to synchronise the world’s research to develop quicker and more comprehensive responses to global health matters “including everything from bird flu to climate change”.
Director of eResearch in the University of Melbourne’s School of Physics, Dr Steve Melnikoff, who also spoke at the launch, sees the VeRSI partnership enabling new national and international collaborations between Victorian universities and the world.
“VeRSI will provide scientists globally with the tools to engage with eResearch and transform their science like never before,” he said.
Dr Melnikoff said that by utilising advanced ICT technologies such as ultra high-speed networking, remote instrument access, and grid computing, the VeRSI partnership will facilitate and enable new national and international collaborations for Australian researchers with the world.
“The grid in particular is a software infrastructure that enables flexible, secure, coordinated resource sharing among dynamic collections of “individuals, institutions and resources", he said.
VeRSI is a joint venture between Melbourne and Monash universities and soon will expand to include La Trobe University and the Department of Primary Industries in the eResearch hub.
Focusing on the life sciences and the Australian Synchrotron, the initial phase of the strategy is to establish infrastructure to be carried out by University of Melbourne and Monash University. University of Melbourne departments at the Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, the Peter MacCallum Institute and the Austin Hospital will be involved.
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