The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) is proud to announce Challenger Group Limited as the inaugural partner for its Traditional Knowledge Innovation Award.
The Award celebrates the translational power of research and development done by and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples or communities, applying Traditional Knowledge through the lens of modern innovation.
Thanks to Challenger’s generous contribution, winners of the Traditional Knowledge Innovation Award will now receive prize money and mentoring in their entrepreneurship and innovation journey.
ATSE is delighted to collaborate with Challenger in recognising great Australian leaders who are respectfully and authentically applying Australia’s 60,000 year-strong history of innovation in a modern context.
Challenger CEO and Managing Director, Nick Hamilton said, “Challenger is honoured to be the founding partner of the Traditional Knowledge Innovation Award. Our partnership with ATSE reflects our belief in the great opportunity that comes from investing in knowledge and embracing innovation. The award will support the next generation of indigenous STEM innovators to further advance an exciting area of scientific discovery.
“Importantly, we’re keen to recognise and support Indigenous leadership in STEM and technological innovation. Leveraging our own entrepreneurial culture and expertise, we hope to provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are using Traditional Knowledge to solve some of today’s many challenges for the benefit of all Australians.”
The inaugural winner of the Traditional Knowledge Innovation Award will be announced as part of the prestigious ATSE Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 26 October 2023 in Canberra at the National Arboretum.
ATSE CEO, Kylie Walker, said “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are custodians of the world’s oldest continuous knowledge system – they are Australia’s first engineers and applied scientists – and Traditional Knowledge continues to be responsive and applied to today’s complex problems.
“We are thrilled to be working with Challenger in building the Traditional Knowledge Innovation Award as a major force for recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander innovators and building awareness of the importance and relevance of Traditional Knowledge as it shapes the future of Australian innovation, with deep respect and lessons drawn from the past.”
The creation of the award is an integral part of ATSE’s Reconciliation Action Plan, which aims to create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in STEM, and build understanding of and respect for Traditional Knowledge and its continuing relevance today.
Notes to media
ATSE CEO Kylie Walker is available for interview.
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The Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering is a Learned Academy of independent experts helping Australians understand and use technology to solve complex problems.
ATSE’s vision for reconciliation is that all Australians recognise and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander custodianship as one of the oldest knowledge systems on the planet. Through respectfully working with, listening and learning from current Traditional Knowledge holders and practitioners in science and engineering we will build a better nation and a healthier, more sustainable world.
The ATSE Traditional Knowledge Innovation Award acknowledges and recognises up to two teams or individuals respectfully, collaboratively and successfully applying Traditional Knowledge through modern innovation. The Award celebrates STEM research and development done by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples or communities (either solo or in partnership), which incorporates or builds on Traditional Knowledge.
The ATSE Awards celebrate the outstanding achievement of Australians in technology, engineering and innovation.