Provost Rory Hume was among prominent Australians living in the United States who were asked to advise Prime Minister Kevin Rudd during his recent visit to Washington.

Hume, along with UCLA math professor Terence Tao and Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego Tony Haymet, met with the prime minister on March 30 at the Australian embassy. They were among 16 academics, researchers, venture capitalists and bankers who were asked to advise the prime minister on issues they think are important to Australia in the coming years.

"The University of California has a wealth of expertise to share with the global community on challenges all nations face such as global warming and education," Hume said. "Certainly it is an honor to be asked to share this knowledge with our fellow Australians."

During the five-hour gathering, Hume focused on the importance of high school math and science education and investments in higher education and research. He offered California's Master Plan for Higher Education as a model.

"California has the finest system of higher education," Hume said. "It makes sense for other countries to look to us as a model for enhancing their own competitiveness in the global marketplace by building a highly skilled and educated workforce."

Rudd, sworn in as prime minister in December 2007, pledged to deliver an education revolution as one of the top priorities of his government. In an effort to fight rising inflation and boost productivity, Rudd has said he is committed to investing in education from early childhood to skilled trades to the university level and to increasing the number of math and science teachers. These are all goals similar to those highlighted in UC's educational imperative initiative.

While in Washington, Prime Minister Rudd also met with President George W. Bush and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissioner Chairman Christopher Cox.