Successful tender announcement for TechNyou Outreach Program
5 May 10
The University of Melbourne's Bio21 Institute has been successful in their tender bid to manage the Australian Government's TechNyou Outreach Program for the next 18 months.
"The Bio21 Institute has an ongoing commitment to community engagement and the opportunity to facilitate this important community program is a logical fit with our own goals and activities," explains Professor Tony Bacic, Bio21 Institute Director.
TechNyou is an initiative of the Australian Government's Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) to provide information to the Australian public on emerging technologies such as bio- and nanotechnologies.
TechNyou provides balanced and factual information on the science and associated issues, along with opportunities for the public to engage with scientists and other experts on the potential uses for these technologies.
With considerable debate and community concern about some of today's emerging technologies, such as GM foods, nanoparticles, embryonic stem cells and human germ-line therapy, the need to raise the Australian public's awareness and knowledge of these scientific fields and engage with them on the issues is crucial.
Dr Craig Cormick, the Manager of DIISR's Public Awareness and Community Engagement program, is pleased with the relationship the Department has developed with the University, dating back ten years with similar information services. "The University's flexibility of information delivery, access to experts and strong community credibility have all enabled the development of a strong outreach and information service - providing a valuable and popular service to the Australian public," he says.
TechNyou runs a free information service, and web-based resources including fact sheets, a blog, Facebook page and discussion forums.
In addition there is an active outreach program that includes running workshops and presentations for students, teachers and community groups, conducting public forums and other events that allow the general public and scientific experts to have an open and constructive dialogue about the direction of the science and the potential societal implications from any resulting technologies.
Effective 1 April 2010, the tender is for 18 months in the first instance.
You can contact TechNyou through their web site - http://www.technyou.edu.au/
Or Phone 1800 631 276 Email: technyou-info@unimelb.edu.au
Further information about this article please contact
Helen Varnavas, Communications and Public Relations Manager, Bio21 Institute,
T: (03) 8344 2225 or E: varnavas@unimelb.edu.au
