MERIT Launch
University of Melbourne launches Engineering Research Institute
Media Release, Wednesday 21 November 2007
The Melbourne Engineering Research Institute (MERIT) – a dedicated institute for engineering research – will be officially launched today at 11am at the University of Melbourne by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis.
Incoming Director of MERIT, Professor Rod Tucker, said the Institute brings together world leading research in the Melbourne School of Engineering to address four critical areas – bioengineering, information and communications, materials and sustainability.
"MERIT will increase opportunities for researchers to work together on a large scale and to increase partnerships with industry. It offers a single point of contact for industry to link with specific research areas."
Professor Tucker said the establishment of MERIT also contributes to the University's goal to have one of the top-ranking engineering schools in the world.
The four themes of focus within the Institute are: Biomedical Engineering – in support of medicine and health; Information and Communication Systems – which underpins the future of information sharing, collaboration, education and business; Structured Matter – the role modern materials play in our world; and Sustainable Systems & Energy – the future of water, energy and the environment for our society.
"In areas such as nanomaterials, research will have direct benefits for the community, ranging from environmental to medical applications," said Professor Tucker.
"There are other activities focusing on water resources, new research looking at sustainability and global energy implications of the internet and ICS projects exploring communications for remote communities and developing regions of the world. The list of activities is extensive.
"By consolidating the School's research into four research themes, unified by the common goal of engineering research for the benefit of society, we can further develop our world-class research environment and continue to attract the best researchers and research students."
Following the launch, leading researchers will present their vision of the future technology-enabled world in a symposium titled 'Melbourne Engineering Looks to the Future'.