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RSS SubscribeWednesday 2nd August 2006
Australia and France research boost
The Australian Government’s continued support for the French-Australian Science and Technology (FAST) programme will enable new joint research projects to be carried out in 2006, with nine Group of Eight universities successfully selected out of thirteen research projects funded by the program.
Minister for Education, Science and Training the Hon Julie Bishop MP said the Government has committed $273,810 to this year’s programme for projects that will strengthen Australia’s ability to utilise emerging knowledge, while cementing our national ties with France.
“The successful projects span a diverse range of research fields beneficial to Australia’s social and economic well-being such as genetics, the control of disease crops, information and communications technologies, and nanotechnology,” Minister Bishop said.
“Specific projects, which will have mutually beneficial outcomes for Australia and France, include identifying genes that improve disease resistance in canola crops, developing future wireless broadband networks and engineering stronger plastics.
“The FAST programme was established in 2003 to promote and support scientific and technological cooperation between Australian and French researchers and is part of the Australian Government’s International Science Linkages Programme.
“The Government is working to raise the international profile of Australian science, and enhance Australia’s capacity for innovation, both now and in the future. The FAST programme is further evidence of that commitment.”
