Can a Two-day Forum Breathe Life Into Support for Australian Maths Education. (December 21, 2011)

The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) is organising Maths for the future: Keep Australia competitive a form scheduled for the 7-8 of February 2012 to propose strategies to secure future mathematical and statistical skills for Australia. Skills which have been determined to be critical for Australian innovation and competitiveness but whose teaching has been allowed to languish for well over a decade.

Five years ago An investment In Australia's future: why the mathematical sciences matter discussed the findings of the Australian Academy of Sciences' National Strategic Review of Mathematical Science Research in Australia. Neither the Howard Coalition government of  the time nor the Labor governments of Kevin Rudd or Julia Gillard have provided useful initiatives to bring the teaching of mathematics and statistics in primary, secondary or tertiary education to the standards required of a first world country.

 AMSI hopes that this two-day forum, which is to involve both Labor and Coalition politicians, will provide an opportunity to endorse a coherent action plan to ensure the supply of graduates in the mathematical sciences and quantitative disciplines.

The speakers list includes:

• Ian Chubb (Chief Scientist)

• Chris Evans (Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research)

• Doug Hilton (Division Head, WEHI)

• Steve Davies (General Manager, Statistics, APRA)

• Ron Sandland (AMSI)

• Attila Brungs (Australian Technology Network)

• Mike Manton (Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering)

• Rob Vertessy (Acting Director, Bureau of Meteorology)

• Sophie Mirabella (Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science)

• Chris Pyne (Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training)

• Glenn Wightwick (Chief Technologist, IBM Australia)

The keynote address will be given by Professor Celia Hoyles former mathematics advisor to the UK government and is expected to discuss the initiatives employed in the UK that have improved standards, reversed teacher shortages and increased mathematics enrolments.

Dr Ron Sandland, former Deputy Chief Executive of CSIRO and current Chair of the AMSI Board believes: "This is not simply about educating the next generation of elite mathematicians. It’s all about ensuring future generations can most effectively contribute to national productivity and wellbeing."