Articles
RSS SubscribeMonday 5th March 2012
EU looks to Australian Research Infrastructure as a model of success
by AMMRF
The Australian Microscopy & Microanalysis Research Facility (AMMRF) today hosted a visit by Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Union Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science. Selected by the Commonwealth Department of Innovation, Industry, Science, Research & Tertiary Education (DIISRTE) as examples of highly successful Australian collaborative research infrastructure, both the AMMRF and the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) made clear to Ms Geoghegan-Quinn the nature of the infrastructure and the breadth of research that it enables.
In establishing a bilateral relationship with Australia Ms Geoghegan-Quinn clearly recognises that the distributed network, that is so effective in Australia, is an excellent model for the EU research environment. Its capacity to add value to academic research and industry alike and enrich the capacity to innovate in areas such as climate change, developing sustainable transport, renewable energy, food safety and security, and improving health outcomes can have a major influence on the economy and quality of life in the long term.
Europe is already recognising the value of the AMMRF by seeking to implement collaborative partnerships and the AMMRF is already making an impact in this area. This is evidenced through the recent formalisation of a Collaborative Framework with EuroBioImaging.
Of today’s meeting Ms Geoghegan-Quinn said, “The work that is being undertaken here at the AMMRF and ANFF is an excellent example of the importance of creating critical mass in key technologies, which is crucial to enable us to respond globally to the grand challenges facing the planet.”
Prof. Simon Ringer, Executive Director and CEO of AMMRF said “We were honoured that the Commissioner was able to visit the AMMRF. We have a vision to develop collaborative links with EU infrastructure that will be beneficial for both Australian and European researchers. The visit brings us significantly closer to realising this vision.” The AMMRF is an initiative of the Federal Governments National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) provided through the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE).
