The University of Newcastle, Australia

Two research centres at the University of Newcastle have secured almost $12 million from the Australian Government's 'Centres of Excellence' scheme.

The Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development will receive $6.42 million and the ARC Centre for Complex Dynamic Systems and Control will receive $5.4 million, both over three years (2008 - 2010).

In addition, the ARC has recognised the outstanding work of the Centre for Complex Dynamic Systems and Control by renaming it an 'ARC Centre of Excellence'.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University, Professor Barney Glover, said the funding was recognition of the Centres' research in national priority areas.

"The Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development focuses research in the areas of testicular and childhood cancer, and male infertility, in line with the national priority field of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health," he said.

"Another priority field of research is Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries.

"In this field, the Centre for Complex Dynamic Systems and Control provides performance advances in industries including automotive, mining and power systems through analysing, controlling, modelling and optimising dynamic systems.

"The Centre's recognition as a Centre of Excellence is testament to its international recognition for world leading research in its field.

"The University of Newcastle is now the lead university on two ARC Centres of Excellence.

"Today's funding announcement by the Australian Government is a clear signal that the University of Newcastle delivers innovative research that produces real results for the community.

"We are consistently ranked in the top 10 Australian universities for research effort and outcomes, and research income has grown significantly each year for the past three years.

"We look forward to further recognition of our research efforts through our 10 Priority Research Centres, which bring together researchers across the fields of health, energy and the environment, and science and engineering."