The Australian Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda recently announced the federal funding of AU$1.1 billion towards incentives . This includes promoting science, mathematics and computing in their education system.
The agenda is part of the Government’s commitment to establish Australia as a leading innovation system.
Australia has seen the number of youth pursuing these fields decline. This is why they are investing in reversing this trend.
In order to instill interest at an early age, the government is developing play-based learning apps in science and mathematics for early childhood educators.
As part of embracing the digital age, the new agenda also aims for leaders to drive an increase digital literacy. The Federal Government has provided funding for a AU$51 million (US$37 million) package for school coding and IT programs.
The Government will work to establish partnerships to bring scientists and ICT professionals into the classroom.
This agenda not only benefits citizens, but also foreign students intending to migrate to Australia.
Foreign students who complete masters and PhD programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and IT will gain more credit points. These points will help them to stay in Australia after they have finished their study.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull- who is popularly regarded as a tech-savvy individual- took to twitter to share more about the agenda.
He has stated his unshakable confidence that the agenda will result in sustainable long-term progress for the nation.
‘’Unlike a mining boom, it is a boom that can continue forever, it is limited only by our imagination’’ he told reporters in Canberra. He encourages his citizens to step out of their comfort zone in order to compete with progressing economies.
‘’Our appetite for risk is lower than in comparable countries, which means Australian start-ups and early stage businesses often fail to attract capital to grow’’ said Mr Turnbull.
The details of the agenda is published in the Australian Government Department of Education and Training website . They are due to be implemented in 2016 and 2017.
