Acting Prime Minister Senator Chris Evans says there is no room for “average” in Australia’s quest for university research success.

He praised Griffith University’s success in the most recent round of Australian Research Council funding grants as testament to a strategic and focused approach.

The Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research visited the Gold Coast campus today (Tuesday) including a guided tour of the Institute for Glycomics by executive director Professor Mark von Itzstein, alongside the ARC chief executive officer Aidan Byrne..

“What I like is the way Griffith is bringing various disciplines of research together.

“I don’t want Australian universities being average at lots of things. I want Australian universities being very good at a small number of things,” Senator Evans said.

“You can’t compete internationally by just being average. You have got to be the best at something.

“And Griffith has been very good at bringing a range of disciplines together at institutes that allows them to actually compete internationally.

“If you are seen as being first class you get more leading researchers from around the world wanting to work at those institutes and at those universities which breeds excellence and success and more opportunities for students.

“Griffith has been very strategic and they are developing world-leading capacities and we are seeing that attract not only funding bit some of the best people in the world wanting to work here  and that’s going to be good for Australia and for the University.

Vice Chancellor Professor Ian O’Connor discussed the University’s growth plans and excellent results in international rankings during the visit.

Senator Evans is Acting Prime Minister in the absence of Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan.