Microsoft partly funds new Australian research lab

18.05.2006
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has announced the creation of a new eResearch center in Brisbane, Australia, with A$2.7 million (US$2.1 million) in initial funding.

The eResearch lab is said to be one of only 12 in the world and will provide scientists with advanced technologies to accelerate scientific research and discovery of sustainable resources. The lab will specifically focus its research efforts on water management, urban planning, and climate change.

The seed funding comes from a three-year collaborative agreement between the Queensland government, QUT, and Microsoft Australia, each of which is contributing A$900,000.

Microsoft officials claim the eResearch lab is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Scientists at the lab will combine the processing power of computers and the Internet to support research through the large-scale collaboration of people, data and other resources.

QUT deputy vice chancellor of research and commercialization, Professor Arun Sharma, said the lab's computing power will let the scientists use their minds for what they do best - research.