The Australian Technology Network announces “Frontiers” a new resource, “to transform Australia’s next generation of PhD and Research Masters students into industry leaders”

ATN says it is a free programme for it members’ postgraduates, covering entrepreneurship, engaging with industry and data analytics. There will be courses and classes and big-picture summits.

Good for HDR students and good for ATN, which recognises that the times suit it, that its applied technology focus is what the government thinks research should be about.

And Education Minister Alan Tudge likes it a lot, “it does what we are trying to achieve and that is to give some of the PhD students some of those real practical skills to help them better engage with industry, to further their careers and make a real impact. This is one of my top priorities.”

Labor shadow Tanya Plibersek agrees, up to a point, “the practical skills gained will be crucial to building Australia’s research capacity now and into the future,” she says.