Astronauts and a former Prime Minister headline Australia's largest engineering event

The future of Australia’s manufacturing sector, climate change and the role of nuclear energy are just some of the big issues to be debated when thousands of engineers of all disciplines descend on Melbourne for Convention 2014 - the largest engineering event ever held in the Southern Hemisphere.

Organised by Engineers Australia, Convention 2014 - to be held on 24-28 November - has attracted the superstars of the engineering and science world.

Keynote speakers include retired NASA astronauts Colonel Chris Hadfield and Dr Andrew Thomas, International Space Station Operator and Operations Engineer Andrea Boyd and Nobel Prize winner Rajendra K Pachauri.

Engineers Australia CEO Stephen Durkin said the line-up of speakers at Convention 2014 is the equivalent of the ultimate TEDx for engineers.

“Delegates attending Convention 2014 will hear from the world’s leading thinkers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. People who are at the top of their profession, inspiring and challenging the way we live, work and interact,” said Durkin.

Expected to draw around 5000 delegates, Convention 2014 is made up of six conferences covering defence, applied mechanics, climate change, complex projects, telecommunications and leadership. The event will deliver a range of technical conferences and seminars, more than a dozen workshops, symposiums and forums, and site tours.

Durkin said the five-day program would tackle key issues and topics impacting engineers including energy generation, transport and infrastructure, innovation and sustainability.

“Convention 2014 will be the most comprehensive event ever held for Australian engineers and it’s the first time that all disciplines of engineering will come together under the one roof.”

Keynote speakers at the leadership conference include former prime minister The Hon. John Howard OM AC SSI and The Hon. Tim Fischer AC, discussing how the past has engineered our future. Former journalist and 2013 Australian of the Year Ita Buttrose will moderate the session.

“Engineering has such a wide impact on society and that is reflected in the range of speakers at the event. The program includes keynote addresses from astronauts, politicians, humanitarians, scientists and leading engineers from Google, Siemens and BAE Systems.”

Convention 2014 will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. To register, please visit the packages and prices page at www.convention2014.org.au. Discount registrations are available to members of Engineers Australia.