Latest news with #Swinburne
Borneo Post
7 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Dr Sim urges community leaders to instil local values in Sarawak's youth
(From fourth left) Lau, Dr Sim and Hieng Wuong officiate at the event. SIBU (June 9): Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian wants community leaders to instil local values and culture in Sarawak's younger generation towards nation-building. The Local Government and Housing Minister expressed his worries about the implementation of the state's free education policy starting next year, particularly for students pursuing their studies at Australian-based Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus. 'Between 3,000 and 5,000 Sarawak students will receive free education at the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) and Swinburne next year because we want high education standards, particularly Australian education. 'I am more worried for Swinburne because I am not sure if we are going to teach our students Australian education with Sarawak values. 'It is very important; otherwise, we will never teach Sarawak values to those (who will be) serving Sarawak,' he said when officiating the Sibu Chinese Community Leaders Association 20th anniversary celebration and 11th committee installation here last night. Dr Sim also expressed concern that students might migrate to Australia, enticed by well-paying jobs after their graduation, as their degrees are recognised by the country. 'It would be like we are preparing 5,000 talents every year for migration. 'This is why it is important for us, community leaders at the forefront of Sarawak government, to teach them local values. 'It is similarly impoprtant for the people to maintain unity, stability and working together for shared prosperity, especially as Sarawak's economy is expected to continue flourishing in 2030,' he added. Meanwhile, Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau was elected president of the association for the 2025-2026 term, with Pemanca Datuk Jason Tai, Pemanca Liong Khing Hee, Kapitan Fung Tat Shen, Penghulu Lau Hieng Wuong and Kapitan Ting Hua Chuan as vice presidents. Kapitan Sim Tang Fei became secretary, joined by Penghulu Lim Kuah Liew as assistant secretary. Penghulu Yong Kin Sung took on the role of treasurer, assisted by Penghulu Tiew Siik Nieng. Filling other key positions were Kapitan Chew Hoo Kiong (welfare officer), Kapitan Wong Chiew Sieng (assistant welfare officer), Kapitan Low Muong Ing (general affairs officer), Kapitan Lau Sei Kwang (assistant general affairs officer), Kapitan So Teck Kee (cultural officer) and Penghulu Kong Sien Min (assistant cultural officer). The committee included Kapitan Ling Hua Wee, Kapitan Chua Kim Seng, Kapitan Wong Jont Kiong, Penghulu Wong Ung, Kapitan Connie Loh and Kapitan Peter Lau were the committee members. Among those present were Dr Sim's wife Datin Amar Enn Ong and Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang.
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Swinburne Sarawak celebrates 25 years with Open Day series across state, Sabah
Visit any of Swinburne Sarawak's Open Day events across Sarawak and Sabah to explore programme offerings, scholarship opportunities, and more. KUCHING (June 6): Prospective students interested in pursuing a globally-recognised Australian education closer to home are invited to Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus' Open Day events across Sarawak and Sabah. Open Day events will be held in Limbang, Kota Kinabalu, Lawas, Sarikei, Kapit, Sri Aman, Sandakan and Tawau, giving students and parents a chance to explore Swinburne's offerings and opportunities firsthand. The series of Open Days will kick off on June 7 at Purnama Hotel in Limbang, from 9am to 2pm. The next stop will be Hyatt Regency, Kota Kinabalu, on June 8, from 10am to 4pm. This will be followed by five more sessions on June 14 at the following venues: Hotel Seri Malaysia, Lawas (9am to 2pm); The Coffee Code, Sarikei (12pm to 4pm); Hotel Meligai, Kapit (9am to 2pm); Hotel Sri Simanggang, Sri Aman (12pm to 4pm); and T4, Sandakan (12pm to 4pm). The final event will be held on June 15, from 12pm to 4pm at Richiamo Café, Tawau. These events are open to all members of the public, especially school leavers, offering a close-up view of Swinburne's teaching and learning facilities, vibrant campus life, accommodation options, international exchange, and transfer opportunities. Attendees will be able to speak directly with Swinburne Sarawak's education counsellors to learn more about its wide-ranging programmes in business, computing, design, engineering, quantity surveying, science, arts, media, and education. Students will also be introduced to the university's newest offerings, the Bachelor of Cyber Security and the Bachelor of Data Science, programmes designed to prepare digital-ready graduates for the future. Scholarships and financial aid options will be highlighted during the events, including Swinburne's internal merit scholarships and external schemes such as Yayasan Sarawak's initiatives – the BP40 Bursary Scheme and the English Enhancement Programme (EEP). The BP40 Bursary Scheme enables eligible Sarawakian Bumiputera students to pursue their studies at Swinburne Sarawak with tuition fees comparable to those at Malaysian public universities. The EEP, meanwhile, offers Sarawakian students a free four-week course to boost English proficiency and help them adapt to university life. On-the-spot applications will be accepted during the events. Eligible students can receive a Letter of Offer on the same day. For application purposes, students are advised to bring along a copy of their MyKad or passport, and academic transcripts or certificates (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia, Unified Examination Certificate, O-Level, A-Level, etc.). Swinburne Sarawak's foundation programmes intake begins July 7, while diploma and degree programmes begin on Sept 2. Prospective students or parents may register online at Swinburne is a top-tier Australian university based in Melbourne, Australia. Its Sarawak campus in Kuching is the only full-fledged international branch campus of the university. Ranked among the top one per cent of universities globally by QS World University Rankings 2024 and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), Swinburne Sarawak has also been recognised as one of the country's Top 10 Preferred Private Universities by This year marks Swinburne Sarawak's 25th anniversary – a milestone in its journey of delivering world-class education, advancing research excellence, and fostering innovation. For more information, visit its website Facebook and Instagram pages @swinburnesarawak, X page @Swinburne_Swk, TikTok page @swinburnesarawak or YouTube channel Swinburne Sarawak. anniversary lead open day sabah Swinburne
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Victorian budget delivers cost-of-living relief amid surging $200bn state debt
Families and vulnerable people feeling the pinch of cost of living have been offered a small boost in a stripped-back state budget reeling from soaring debt. In her Victorian budget debut on Tuesday, titled Focused on What Matters Most, Treasurer Jaclyn Symes dug into the state coffers for a $2.3 billion cost-of-living package. The budget handouts come despite Victoria's state debt is projected to hit a record $200 billion by 2029 - the equivalent of $71,000 per household. Net debt projections came in at $194 billion by mid-2029, with interest payments to service it rising to $29 million a day by that point. This will leave less money for critical services and infrastructure such as hospitals, roads and schools. Swinburne finance expert Jason Tian said the interest expenses were consuming about 18 per cent of state taxation revenue, effectively swallowing up all stamp duty. Ms Symes will travel to the US in coming weeks to meet with credit rating agencies after they called for the state to demonstrate 'fiscal discipline'. The state was gifted an extra $3.7 billion in GST revenue from the Commonwealth Grants Commission for 2025/26, $1.5 billion higher than forecast. Ms Symes said the government decided to deliver a smaller forecast operating surplus next financial year to fund more cost-of-living measures and service delivery, including a record $31 billion for health. The budget does not contain an exact number of job losses stemming from a review, led by Helen Silver, of the Victorian public service. But it banks on $3.3 billion in savings from ceasing and redesigning programs, reducing duplication and cutting about 1200 full-time equivalent positions. 'Redundancies will be to come but they'll not be as high as the ultimate number,' Ms Symes said. More savings will follow after Ms Silver's final report is handed to the government in June. 'What I found pretty compelling in Helen's initial work was Victoria have over 500 entities and 3400 public boards and committees,' Ms Symes said. 'You can't tell me there's not some fat in there.' Infrastructure spending is forecast to slide over the next four years but the total for new and existing projects has jumped $8.1 billion higher to $213 billion. The estimated cost of the eastern section of the Suburban Rail Loop from Cheltenham to Box Hill remains unchanged at $30 billion to $34.5 billion. Ms Symes stuck to her word of no new or increased taxes, although the emergency services levy that has rankled firefighters and farmers will add $1.8 billion a year to the budget bottom line by 2026/27. What's in the budget for you? Another round of the power saving bonus will be rolled out in August at a cost of $50 million but it is limited to a $100 discount for concession card holders. An extra 27,000 rebates will be handed out for home owners to install electric heat pumps and solar hot water and solar hot water systems and $18 million set aside for pharmacists to treat more Victorians without a trip to the doctor. The package includes $1.3 billion to help families and kids at school and kinder and TAFE students, including forging ahead with the state's transition to free kinder. The big-ticket item - $320 million in free public transport for children under 18 every day and seniors over 60 on weekends from January 1 - were unveiled in the lead up to budget day. Premier Jacinta Allan has called getting millennials into homes the fight of her life but there wasn't fresh housing help beyond $61 million to reduce stamp duty for off-the-plan apartments, units and townhouses for another 12 months. Ms Symes described the budget as 'responsible', delivering on the government's fiscal plan and providing real help with cost of living. 'This is support you can feel - at the kitchen table, at the school gate, at the train station,' she will tell parliament. KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 2025/26 VICTORIAN BUDGET * $2.3 billion in cost-of-living relief, much of it aimed at families with children aged under 18 * $3.3 billion will be slashed from the public service and a predicted 1200 full-time equivalent positions lost but details of the cuts and changes to programs are not yet known * Net operating surplus of $600 million in 2025/26 but net debt is tipped to hit $194 billion in mid-2029 as interest payments rise to $29 million each day * The government says health and wellbeing account for one third of expenditure KEY COST-OF-LIVING MEASURES * New $100 Power Saving Bonuses for households with a concession card holders, costing $50 million * The Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund for students who live with a concession card holder will jump to $400 per child, to the tune of $152.3 million * An additional 65,000 Get Active Kids vouchers for families to spend on school uniforms, fees and equipment worth up to $200 per child in 2026, which costs $15 million * Rebates for electric heat pumps and solar hot water systems, costing $30 million * $18 million for food relief charities and supporting organisations * Camping fees will stay half price for two more years, costing $10.5 million * Under 16s can continue to visit zoos for free on weekends, public holidays and school holidays under a $15 million program KEY HEALTH SPENDING: * A record $31b in health funding * The additional $11.1 billion includes $9.3 billion for hospitals and $497 million for mental health * $437 million to triple the capacity of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, which offers free consultations with doctors and nurses * $167 million to improve ambulance response times, including recruiting more staff at Triple Zero Victoria * $18 million to permanently allow pharmacists to provide certain medications without a doctor's script, including the contraceptive pill, and expand which conditions they treat KEY EDUCATION SPENDING: * $4.9 billion in education finding, including $1.5 billion for new schools and upgrades to existing schools * $859 million to continue Free Kinder programs for an estimated 160,000 children * Extra $133 million in funding for core subjects including additional $47m to improve maths education, introducing a numeracy check for students in Year 1 and upskilling maths teachers * $27 million for pathway coordinators in government secondary schools * $319.8 million to roll out disability inclusion reforms KEY INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT SPENDING * $318 million for free public transport for under 18s and $2.2 million for free public transport for seniors on weekends * $727 million to turn on the new Metro Tunnel under the CBD, with the final opening date still unknown * $4.1 billion to expand Sunshine Station, which will be connected to the future airport rail line and Suburban Rail Loop * $976 million to upgrade roads and bridges across the state in 2025/26, including fixing pot holes * Extra $270 million to improve the regional rail V/Line network and $52m to increase services on three lines KEY JUSTICE SPENDING * $1.6 billion to roll out new bail laws, including $727 million to create an extra 1088 prison beds * $287 million for a new Financial Assistance Scheme to support victims of crime with medical expenses, emergency financial help and counselling * $65 million for a tobacco and liquor regulator, which has been touted as a way to crack down on the illicit tobacco trade fuelling a criminal gang conflict KEY INVESTMENT SPENDING: * $240 million to boost business growth and investment in the state, including a new $150 million Victorian Investment Fund KEY EMERGENCY AND DISASTER FUNDING * $40 million to replace Fire Rescue Victoria trucks and $17.4 million for the organisation to improve cyber security after it was hit by a cyber attack in 2022 * $10 million so the State Control Centre can run 24/7 KEY HOUSING SPENDING: * $61 million to extend stamp duty concessions for homes on off-the-plan townhouses, units and apartments until October 2026 * $4 million to expand Mortgage Stress Victoria KEY ENVIRONMENT SPENDING: * $32.6 million to maintain the health of creeks and rivers, including the Murray Darling Basin * $21.1 million to protect parks, bush and coastline * $16.6 million in additional funding to Agriculture Victoria for emergencies and to support animal welfare KEY INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS SPENDING:
News.com.au
06-05-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Biocurious: With psychedelic therapies gaining cred, Tryptamine offers patients and investors the trip of a lifetime
Tryptamine is focused on using psilocybin to treat difficult mental health and neurological conditions In league with Swinburne University, the company will launch a groundbreaking binge eating disorder trial using intravenous delivery With government and regulatory attitudes rapidly evolving, the company says the first FDA-approved psychedelic treatment is nigh The CEO of local psychedelic drug developer Tryptamine Therapeutics (ASX:TYP), CEO Jason Carroll isn't afraid to make the big call. His bold prediction? The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) will approve a mind-altering agent for a broad mental health indication by the end of next year, after decades of psychedelics being in the drug-development wilderness. Carroll says several drug developers are close to amassing enough clinical data to front the agency. The Nasdaq-listed Compass Pathways is in phase III trial stage for using psilocybin – a.k.a. 'magic mushrooms' – for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). A read-out is due later this year. 'Compass will have the data buttoned down and I think they will present a good proposal to the FDA,' he says. 'They will produce the data the world wants to see on psilocybin and its efficacy.' Most drug developers don't exactly wish their rivals the best of success, but Carroll says what's good for Compass benefits the whole nascent sector. 'It will help the market to understand there is a viable pathway to approval.' Turn on, tune in and don't drop out In the early 1970s Richard Nixon's war on drugs halted medical research on psychedelics, which had amassed plenty of – er – real-world evidence in the 1960s. Trippy hippies aside, hundreds of formal LSD trials had been carried out since the 1940s. As the protest-era Bob Dylan crooned, the times they are a-changin'. In 2019 the FDA granted psilocybin 'breakthrough' status, enabling potentially fast-track registration. In a February 2023 surprise, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration said it would allow authorised psychiatrists to prescribe psilocybin and MDMA (a.k.a. molly or ecstasy). This was to treat TRD and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) respectively. Now, new US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Junior keenly supports advancing psychedelic therapies. Carroll says while the laws are changing, 'the challenge is to bring pharmaceutical rigour to the category'. In effect, the sector needs to transcend the reputation of the microdosing worried well at $1000 a night at Californian wellness retreats, as portrayed by Nicole Kidman's character in Nine Perfect Strangers. 'The world needs to see efficacy data, not just trendy buzzwords,' he says. Make room for the 'shroom Tryptamine's drug of choice – so to speak – is a synthetic version of psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms. Psilocybin currently is being researched in no fewer than 25 indications. Tryptamine is targeting three overlooked disorders: binge eating disorder (BED), fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS affects about 6-8% of the population, BED 2-3% and fibromyalgia 3-5%. 'These are significant conditions, and they are less discussed from a neurological viewpoint,' Carroll says. Tryptamine has completed phase II studies for BED and fibromyalgia, while an IBS study is ongoing. These trials have used an oral version of the drug, TRP-8802. In a world first, the company is poised to carry out a BED trial using an intravenous (IV) infused version, TRP-8803. TRP-8803 uses the psilocybin metabolite psilocin. IV takes the direct route Carroll says IV delivery is better controlled, with a faster effect because the agent goes directly from bloodstream to brain. While oral delivery is more convenient, IV infusions ensure the products are taken in the right dosage under the right supervision. 'The results are known quickly, whereas with oral delivery it takes one or three hours for an effect,' he says. IV delivery offers practical and commercial benefits, because an oral patient might have to be in the supervised clinic for up to 10 hours. 'If you can treat four or five patients in a day instead of one, it makes a significant difference.' IV delivery also avoids the big variabilities in the level of patient-by-patient responses, which are hit or miss. The BED trial follows an IV safety study in Adelaide last year, enrolling 14 healthy volunteers. Let's put binge eating to BED BED is the most common eating disorder in the US and second most prevalent in Australia. Patients may suffer depression, anxiety, PTSD and compulsive behaviours. Carried out at the University of Florida, the phase 2a TRP-8802 trial showed a mean reduction of more than 80% in binge eating, as well as a 60% reduction in anxiety and 45% decline in depression. This was after a single dose, over three to four months. Tryptamine last month inked a clinical trial research deal with Swinburne University, by which the house of learning carries out the world's first BED trial using the IV-based TRP-8803. Starting in the June quarter, the study entails two six-person cohorts being dosed two weeks apart (accompanied by psychotherapy). Each cohort will receive two doses, either high or mid-range. The trial assesses the safety, feasibility and efficacy of TRP-8803. The company expects top-line results from the open-label study in the December quarter. Fibromyalgia and IBS Suffered by about one million Australians and 10 million Americans, fibromyalgia stems from the brain and manifests itself as pain throughout the body. Doctors often dismiss the condition as 'all in the head' and they are right – but not in the dismissive manner intended. The company's five-patient study was done at the University of Michigan, which specialises in chronic pain. Reported in August last year, the results showed not only reduced pain, but improved sleep and cognitive functions. Meanwhile the trial of the 'neuro-gastric' condition IBS was done at the esteemed Massachusetts General Hospital. Interim results last December showed a 75% pain reduction in the first four of up to 10 patients, as well as a 'meaningful decrease' in anxiety. Tryptamine expects final results by mid 2025. Cashed up and ready to dose Courtesy of a $6 million placement last year, Tryptamine held cash of $4.58 million as of the end of March, with a further R&D tax refund of $900,000 to $1 million to come. Carroll says this will fully fund the study. The placement was backed by luminaries including Dr Daniel Tillett, a medical entrepreneur and the force behind cancer drug developer Race Oncology. Tillett has become a Tryptamine non-executive director. Carroll says Tryptamine is happy to stick with psilocybin, rather than dabble in MDMA, LSD or the ultra-trendy horse tranquilliser ketamine. 'Psilocybin is the gold-standard psychedelic,' he says. 'It's the safest because it's non-addictive with a high dosage needed to make you ill.' Ultimately, psychedelics are not so much about blocking the pain, but re-wiring how the brain works. 'People with depression have a certain way of thinking about themselves and if you break that cycle, they will be much more comfortable with their condition.'
BBC News
16-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Peterborough's 2040 carbon target needs £8.8bn investment
A council said it needs an investment of £8.8bn to help meet its 2040 net zero carbon emissions City Council is starting the second phase of a project aimed to accelerate its carbon reduction and achieve that target to try to tackle climate council produced a Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) in December 2022, which models the current and future energy demands of the a council climate change and environment scrutiny meeting, phase two of the LAEP was presented to the committee, with an aim to procure a partner to deliver city-wide transformative net zero projects. 'Is it achievable?' It is hoped that this will bring investment and drive forward carbon reduction at scale and pace, the council Local Democracy Reporting Service said the meeting heard the council's carbon emissions had reduced by 28.6% since 2018-19, when the unitary authority declared a climate Phase Two aimed to build on the experience of other councils, including Bristol City Council which has procured a 20-year commercial partnership to deliver net zero projects across the city. At the meeting, Liberal Democrat councillor Ann Shaheed asked how confident the Labour-led council was that it could attract a similar amount of Swinburne, climate change manager at the council, said: "What we are proposing here has very little financial risk. This is just an outline of what we propose to do with much more information to be brought forward for councillors in time."It's not necessarily an additional £8.8bn; it is just that as a city we already invest significantly into our energy systems."The Peterborough economy actually has quite a significant value and the £8.8bn number doesn't look as scary when you look at it over a period of decades."Labour councillor Zameer Ali asked if the project was realistically Swinburne said: "That is why we'd like to spend the next few months exploring that question. It has been achievable across Bristol."If it is achievable, then we'll be in a good position to be one of the first fast followers come this time next year." Sign up for our Future Earth newsletter to get exclusive insight on the latest climate and environment news from the BBC's Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt, delivered to your inbox every week. Outside the UK? Sign up to our international newsletter here. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
