Brilliant West Week

The Premier of Western Australia, Alan Carpenter, recently launched Brilliant West Week 12-18 October 2008. Brilliant West week is WA state government initiative through the WA Department of Industry and Resources (DOIR) to assist in developing and promoting innovation and creativity in Western Australia.

The program seeks to engage primary, secondary and tertiary students in science and innovation related activities, and encourage and inform students about future careers in science.

Key objectives of the program include encouraging an environment of innovation within schools, government and industry, and promoting Western Australian innovation nationally and internationally.

Brilliant West Week incorporates the Leading Lights Innovation & Investment Conference Weds 15 – Friday 17 October 2008, as well as the WA Inventor of the Year 2008 and WA Inventor of the Year 2008 Schools competitions award presentations.

The Leading Lights WA Innovation & Investment Conference seeks to build lasting links between innovators and, financiers, to explore pathways to commercialisation, and to showcase WA innovation from local industries. Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer Inc., will be one of the keynote speakers.

The top 30 finalists of the WA Inventor of the Year Awards 2008 program will be displaying their innovative concepts on Friday 17 October prior to the finalists lunch. at which the winner of each of the three categories will be chosen, as well as the overall winner from the three categories.

Information on the Brilliant West program can be found at the program website www.doir.wa.gov.au/brilliantwestweek, and registration and program information for the Leading Lights Conference can be found at www.doir.wa.gov.au/leading lights conference.