The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and a number of China’s most prestigious universities have signed new strategic research partnerships following the release of the Federal Government’s Asian Century White Paper.

 

USQ has established two formal partnerships in key research areas – climate and agricultural innovation and green fibre composite materials.

 

Federal Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans, welcomed the announcement, saying that it paves the way for establishing deeper research connections with China.

 

"Universities will play a crucial role in ensuring Australians can take advantage of the opportunities the Asian Century presents," Senator Evans said.

 

Senator Evans said a number of Australian universities are forging and extending key research partnerships with their Asian counterparts including:

  • A collaboration on soil carbon and nitrogen cycling between Griffith University and Guangdong Institute of Eco-Environment and Soil Science;
  • A partnership between Swinburne University of Technology and Tsinghua University in the field of green photonics;
  • A project between Australian National University and Jiangnan University on advanced materials with industrial applications; and
  • Commercial engagement between CSIRO and 19 companies in China.

 

USQ received $85,000 in Commonwealth funding for two missions to establish the formal partnerships with their Chinese counterparts.