Connecting with Europe

Monash Europe Network Forum April 2009

© European Communities, 2009

On Wednesday, 8 April 2009, Monash University presented a forum at Clayton Campus devoted to collaboration opportunities with Europe, to mark the launch of the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute and the establishment of EMBL Australia.

Europe is a major contributor to new knowledge and a site for the innovative exchange of people and ideas. The forum explored the opportunities and challenges for Australian-based researchers and educators wishing to take part in this exchange.

Monash University hosted an afternoon of sessions devoted to bilateral and Europe-wide collaboration opportunities for Australian university researchers and educators.

Discussions focused on European opportunities, including the Framework Program and the Marie Curie Schemes, Australian schemes that support interaction with Europe and presentations on bilateral cooperation opportunities and schemes.

Speakers included representatives from the Forum for European-Australian Science and Technology Cooperation (FEAST), and European diplomatic missions and education agencies (with representatives from France, Germany and Switzerland).

The Connecting with Europe Forum was followed by the opening of the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute at Monash University, which serves as headquarters for EMBL Australia, a national initiative to link Australian science and scientists with European research through the European Molecular Biology Laboratory.

Program

Introduction and welcome

Opportunities and Obstacles for Europe Engagement

Session chair: Professor Pascaline Winand, Director, Monash European and EU Centre

Presenters

Panel perspectives/discussion



Bilateral Discussion One: Connecting with France

Session Chair: Dr Natalie Doyle, Deputy Director, Monash European and EU Centre

Presenter: Professor Michel Thibier, Senior Scientific Counsellor, Embassy of France to Australia

Professor Michel Thibier, Senior Scientific Counsellor at the Embassy of France to Australia, will provide an overview of opportunities for Australian academics wishing to collaborate with their counterparts in France. Professor Thibier will outline a number of programs available to Australian Universities and researchers wishing to collaborate with their French counterparts, including Cotutelle PhD programs and the French-Australian Science and Technology (FAST) program. Alongside these better known schemes, Professor Thibier will explore other funding and collaborative arrangements available.

Questions and discussion



Bilateral Discussion Two: Connecting with Germany

Session Chair: Professor Harald Schmidt, Head, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University

Presenter: Dr Andreas Jäger, Director, DAAD Information Centre (Sydney)

Dr Andreas Jäger, Director of the Australian Information Centre for Germany’s largest mobility funding institution, the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutsche Akademischer Austauschdienst, or DAAD), will present on opportunities for Australian researchers to collaborate with Germany. Dr Jäger will provide an overview of funding options and mobility schemes that encourage Australian research mobility, including: DAAD schemes and fellowships and awards of the Humboldt foundation that support Australian postgraduate students, postdoctoral researchers and academics; and the Go8 Australia-Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme (which will call its third round of applications in April 2009).

Questions and discussion



Bilateral Discussion Three: Connecting with Switzerland

Session Chair: Mr Silvio Tiziani Chief Operating Officer, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI)

Presenter: Ms Nina Kaufmann, Attaché, Swiss Embassy, Swiss Australian Academic Network (former representative of Swissnex in Singapore)

Ms Nina Kaufmann, attaché to the Embassy of Switzerland in Australia, and former project manager at Swissnex Singapore, will outline the role and function of Swissnex offices around the world and provide examples of successful links established between an Asia-Pacific partner, Singapore, and Switzerland. Ms Kaufmann will also outline funding and mobility opportunities between Australia and Switzerland, and explain the goals and planned activities of the recently established Swiss Australian Academic Network (SAAN). This session will allow researchers with an interest in Switzerland to learn more about SAAN and provide feedback on the role it can play in advancing Australia-Switzerland relations. Note: the discipline focus of Ms Kaufmann’s discussion for this session will principally be biomedical and pharmaceutical research.

Questions and discussion



For more information, contact Ben in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) on 03 9905 9977.