International expert to join Clemson University economic development team
June 27, 2010
CLEMSON, SC – June 22, 2010 – An international trade and economic development leader will join Clemson University in August as an adviser and guest lecturer on global economic development strategies.
Peter D. Beattie, 57, Australian premier of the state of Queensland from 1998 to 2007, is internationally credited with transforming Queensland into the ”Smart State” by restructuring the education system and developing new industries based on research in biotechnology, information technology and alternative energy.
He will deliver a series of lectures across South Carolina and the nation on developing governmental policy to shape economic development, particularly in biotechnology and renewable energy. He also will advise the university on establishing international public-private economic development strategies.
John Kelly, Clemson University vice president for economic development and executive director of the Clemson University Restoration Institute, said Beattie’s resume speaks for itself.
“In his leadership role for the state of Queensland, Peter led more than three dozen international trade and business delegations and in one year alone secured more than $520 million in trade and investment,” Kelly said.
“He transformed the research universities in Queensland to provide relevant research and education programs to drive economic development. People in South Carolina will gain valuable insight from a man who has operated at the highest level of international trade for many years,” he said.
As premier of the state of Queensland, Beattie led efforts to enhance investment, trade and collaboration in education and research. They resulted in key agreements with countries in Asia, Europe, the United States and Latin America that brought investment and jobs to Queensland.
In 1999, he signed a Sister State agreement with South Carolina to encourage an exchange across a number of fields, particularly biotechnology/biomedical education, research and development.
This exchange produced university research collaborations in life sciences, hydrogen energy, neurotrauma and dementia, as well as an agreement to enhance commercialization of research discoveries.
As Queensland’s Trade and Investment Commissioner for the Americas (2008-2010), he negotiated new trade agreements with Canada, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Mexico, and renewed longstanding agreements with the United States and Brazil.
His efforts brought a record $521 million in trade and investments to Queensland in fiscal year 2009-10. He will retire from this position on July 16.
In 2008, Beattie was honored with the first International Award for Leadership Excellence from the U.S. Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) for leading development of Queensland’s biotechnology industry.
Beattie earned an undergraduate degree in arts/laws from the University of Queensland and a master’s degree from Queensland University of Technology.
He was awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Griffith University and Bond University in recognition of his leadership to transform Queensland into the “Smart State” focused on biotechnology, nanotechnology and other knowledge-based industries.
He also was awarded an honorary doctorate of Laws from the University of South Carolina in 2007.
“It’s been more than 10 years since I signed the Sister State agreement with South Carolina. When the idea to join Clemson was first raised, I immediately saw the opportunity to further this longstanding relationship with the state,” Beattie said.
“The exchange of ideas that will come from this experience will have lasting benefit for all involved — especially myself.”
