Conference offers a feast of networking opportunities

Sep 26, 2003

The Forum for European-Australian Science and Technology co-operation (Feast) will conduct a conference in Canberra on 13 and 14 November 2003 focused on "Networking for Excellence".

European and Australian researchers and policy makers will meet to highlight and review networks of excellence and policy frameworks to support world-class research and technological development.

Leading scientists from Europe and Australia will share their practical experience in bilateral and multilateral collaboration.

The conference is aimed at:

Australian and European researchers in public and private sectors involved in Australian-European collaborations

Government representatives and policy makers charged with improving international collaboration and enhancing research and development outcomes in science and technology

University representatives looking to improve collaboration between Europe and Australia in education, training and research

Industry representatives and associations looking to improve networks between Europe and Australia

Technology transfer and commercialisation professionals looking to facilitate Australian-European collaboration

Day one of the conference will be conducted in The Shine Dome of the Australian Academy of Science and day two at the Manning Clark Theatres, The Australian National University.

Speakers will include the Minister for Science, Peter McGauran; the Director of the Environment European Commission, Dr Chris Patermann; Head of Unit, Strategy for Health, European Commission, Mr Timothy Hall; the Head of Unit, International Division, European Commission, Mr Louis Bellemin; the Head of Unit, Biotechnology and GMOs and DG Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Dr Guy van den Eede; Co-ordinator of the Finnish Centres of Excellence Programmes, Academy of Finland; Dr Ritva Dammert; the Regional Minister for University and Scientific Research, Technological Innovation and New Economy, Campania Region, Italy, Professor Luigi Nicolais; Scientific Affairs Director, Commissariat a L'Energie Atomique, France, Professor Jean-Marc Grognet; Pro Rector and Principal of Southlands College, University of Surrey, Roehampton, UK, Dr Peter Briggs; and the Scientific Member of the Max-Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics, Professor Gerhard Huisken.

The conference will include an official conference reception, hosted by the Association for Research between Italy and Australasia, to be held at the Great Hall, ANU.

Conference registration costs are $250 before October 17 and $270 after that date.

Further details about the conference can be obtained by viewing the website at www.feast.org/feast4.html or phone FEAST on (02) 6273 4823.

University of Wollongong computer science graduate, Gwenn Lemarchand, who is assisting in promoting the conference around the Wollongong region, can also be contacted via her mobile on 0401 036 556 or by email at gw17@optusnet.com.au