Sino-Australian research collaboration must be supported

Left to right: Dr Tian-bin Ren, Institute of Nano and Bio-polymeric Material, Tongji University; Emeritus Professor Neil Furlong, Program Manager: Research, ATN; Ms Vicki Thomson, Executive Director, ATN; Professor Dong Qi, Vice President, Tongji University; Professor Shen Jun, Director, Centre for Nanoscience and Technology, Tongji University

The ATN recently participated in Australia and China: Science and Technology week at the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

This event brought together leading researchers from Australia and China in the areas of climate change, food and water security and nanotechnology. In hosting this event, the Australian government has acknowledged the critical role innovation will play in our future prosperity and wellbeing. It has also acknowledged that Australian science and technology links with China are both “precious and strong”.

However, the fact that there is no specific fund to facilitate research collaboration between Australia and China raised questions among our Chinese partners and came at a time when the Chinese government, via the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology, used the forum to announce a significant increase in funding for Australia-China research collaborations.

Former Trade Minister and now Education Minister, Simon Crean, speaking at the Expo in May highlighted the point that Australia must be seen as more than a tourist destination – it needs to be seen as a destination to do business, invest, and expand trade and foreign partnerships.

The lack of specific funds to promote research collaboration between our two nations is contrary to that aim. The research environment is a highly competitive one and at a time when other nations are increasing their profile and financial commitment in China, we would assert that the absence of a dedicated fund is both short sighted and contrary to government rhetoric on the significance of China as a major partner. Significantly it sends a mixed message to our Chinese partners about the true commitment to innovation and collaboration between our two nations.

The former Australia-China fund played a significant role in facilitating researcher exchange and collaborative partnerships and the ATN is seeking an urgent reinstatement of a specific competitive fund to underpin the growth of our research leaders in Australia and China.