Canberra

From Polar Research to Cleantech: Strengthening Bilateral Collaboration and Innovation !

The Science Office has made significant strides in fostering academic networks, promoting scientific collaboration, and advancing public diplomacy. Below is a summary of its key accomplishments:

Strengthening Academic Networks: SAAN and ASAIN Collaboration: The Science Office played a pivotal role in fortifying the Swiss-Australian Academic Network (SAAN) and ensuring the coordination with its sister organization, the ASAIN (Australian-Swiss Academic and Innovation Network), launched on October 29, 2024, in Basel.

Science and Public Diplomacy: APAIE Conference in Perth: The STO supported the Swiss higher education delegation led by Swissuniversities and hosted a networking event on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) conference.

Australian Antarctic Festival in Hobart: The STO collaborated with the Swiss Polar Institute and Swissnex to set up a Swiss Pavilion in Hobart to promote Swiss polar research expertise. Events included the screening of SRF (Swiss television) documentary ‘Deep into the Glacier’ in partnership with the Global Science Film Festival, a presentation given by a Mertz fellow as well as meetings with institutions like UTAS, IMAS, AAD, and Tasmanian innovation hubs.

Australian Cleantech Investor Connect in Sydney: The Science Office co-organized the exhibition ‘Can Tech Save the World?’ with Swissnex and Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE), supported by PRS. The event featured speeches, awards to Australian cleantech startups, and contributions to sustainability dialogue.

ICRI 2024 Conference in Brisbane: At the International Conference on Research Infrastructures (ICRI), Switzerland strengthened its global standing in research infrastructures through high-level participation, a dedicated Swiss-Australian session, and strategic meetings. Key outcomes included enhanced Swiss visibility, deeper scientific ties with Australia, and groundwork for future collaborations in quantum and digital research.

Promoting Mobility: In an effort to amplify awareness about existing exchange programs and encourage mobility, the Embassy of Switzerland in Australia continued promoting the Headstart campaign, which aim is to spotlight a range of programs providing Australian and Swiss early-career researchers and young professionals opportunities to study in both countries.

The ThinkSwiss and Mertz scholarships enabled researchers and students to pursue studies and fieldwork in Switzerland and Antarctica, respectively.