The University of Tasmania and the Cradle Coast Authority have partnered to offer a new scholarship for research into the challenges and opportunities associated with regional economic development, innovation and entrepreneurship.
The scholarship provides funding of $105,000 over three years for a PhD candidate to be embedded within the Cradle Coast Authority, working on a project of regional significance that feeds into the Regional Futures Plan.
The Regional Futures Plan, led by the Cradle Coast Authority and its member councils, provides the blueprint for an ambitious new approach to economic development and is supported by all levels of government, industry and the education sector.
Tasmanian School of Business and Economics Executive Dean Stuart Crispin said there were clear synergies between the University’s strategic direction and the Regional Futures Plan that provided a template for working together on key priorities such as education, skills development and fostering a culture of innovation.
“The University’s mission is to be place-based and regionally-connected, producing high-impact research that helps our communities prosper,” Associate Professor Crispin said.
“We understand that a region’s economic success is closely linked to the education and skills of its population and are pleased to play our part in continuing to strengthen these outcomes on the Cradle Coast.”
Cradle Coast Authority CEO Daryl Connelly said the new scholarship would have profound and practical impact supporting the Regional Futures Plan agenda.
“The Regional Futures Plan aims to boost regional growth and foster a more resilient economy to lift the living standards of all residents in the region,” Mr Connelly said.
“What we’re doing with the Futures Plan involves lots of sectors over a large geographical area, providing plenty of scope for some really exciting research. We’ll be looking for proposals that hit the sweet spot between theory and practice, and which will have a lasting impact on the region.”
