Tripartisan support for the mathematical sciences
MELBOURNE, FRIDAY 14 AUGUST 2015: The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute publishes a guide — Maths Ad(d)s — to help career advisors, teachers, students and their parents understand exactly where maths and stats can take you.
In a month where we have seen concerning results in Australia’s schools and higher education systems Maths Ad(d)s provides a vivid and useful reminder of the crucial role mathematics and statistics play in every aspect of life.
This free online resource has been the standard “go to” for 18 years; it gathers together advertised job positions that require skills in the mathematical sciences, across a scope of sectors: careers in health, business, agriculture, energy and telecommunications are relying more and more on the analytical skills developed in university level subjects in the mathematical sciences.
Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne, who has written an introduction to this year’s edition, insists that Australia’s ability to innovate and compete in the global economy will require a STEM literate nation.
“This publication demonstrates there is an extensive array of career choices available to graduates in mathematics fields,” says Minister Pyne.
“More broadly, these abilities also help us to participate as active citizens within our democratic system,” he concludes.
ALL SIDES OF POLITICS
AMSI Director, Professor Geoff Prince says without making the community aware of the breadth of roles available to those studying some form of mathematics, high school participation rates in intermediate and advanced mathematics will continue to wane.
Senator Kim Carr, Shadow Minister for Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Industry, echoes Minister Pyne: “Three out of four of the fastest-growing occupations in our economy require some level of literacy in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”
Senator Penny Wright of the Australian Greens puts her vote with the numbers too: “It’s not just in parliament that being able to ‘do the numbers’ is valuable. Australia needs these skill sets to meet the challenges of this century,” she says, “and I commend AMSI for their work in highlighting the opportunities they bring.”
Professor Prince explains that Australia’s job market landscape is shifting and demand for mathematical science skills continues to outstrip supply: “It is great to have endorsement across the political spectrum for AMSI’s work on this.”
Maths Ad(d)s available online: amsi.org.au/mathsadds2015
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For Interview:
Professor Geoff Prince
Director, AMSI
E: director@amsi.org.au
Media contact:
Stephanie Pradier
Media Communications, AMSI
M: 0424 568 314
E: stephanie@amsi.org.au
