QUT will host the Bavaria-Queensland Research Alliance Workshop this week which will allow researchers from the two states to explore and develop collaborative projects aligned on critical areas such as greener fuels, energy storage, manufacturing and emission reduction technologies.
The three-day workshop program, which begins today (Monday 26 February), is part of the research agreement signed last year between the Queensland and Bavarian state governments, seeking collaborative ways to tackle climate change and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
The workshop program will bring together researchers from multiple Queensland and Bavarian universities, creating new partnerships and building on existing collaborations to develop research project ideas across artificial intelligence, energy, clean technologies, quantum technologies, life sciences, aerospace and additive manufacturing.
The Queensland and Bavarian state governments last year signed a research agreement, aiding Queensland in its efforts to tackle climate change and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Distinguished Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research), said QUT was thrilled to be driving the initiative and looks forward to uniting more than 75 researchers from Bavarian and Queensland universities for the event.
“Bavaria is widely recognised as a research powerhouse. This is a highly valuable partnership and QUT is delighted to bring together researchers from all Queensland universities to facilitate the alliance purpose,” Professor Barner-Kowollik said.
“This workshop will be a launch pad for future valuable research between Queensland and Bavaria, as we work together to design innovative solutions to tackle important global challenges.”
Professor Kerrie Wilson, Queensland Chief Scientist said the new partnership between Bavaria and Queensland would broaden and deepen the research relationship in topics ranging from emission reduction technologies, artificial intelligence to quantum technology.
“With the assistance of the Bavarian Ministry of Science and the Arts, the University of Bayreuth, and QUT, the workshop over the next few days will identify new research collaborations for the mutual benefit of both states,” Professor Wilson said.
Queensland Minister for Science and Innovation Leanne Linard said the Queensland Government was proud to support the ongoing partnership between Queensland and Bavaria to enhance vital environmental, social and economic research between the two states.
"In May last year, I announced the signing of the research agreement between Queensland and Bavaria for collaborative university-level research on research topics including greener fuels, energy storage and emission reduction technologies, and the wider bioeconomy," Ms Linard said.
"This agreement outlines research priorities which will help us reach our goal of net zero emissions by 2035.”
Markus Blume MP, Bavarian State Minister of Science and the Arts, said: “With the Bavaria-Queensland cooperation, we unleash exciting new potential - and this workshop will help to bring it onto the road.
“By supporting it we bring together scientists from the excellent universities of Queensland and Bavaria to form new or deepen existing partnerships.
“Both of our states represent strong competitive economies and invest heavily in science and research, in Bavaria via the Hightech Agenda, a vast strategic program of 5.5 billion Euros in high-tech-related research and innovation.
“We are shaping our future together because we both know that we need to provide answers to pressing questions on a global scale.”
Media contact:
Rod Chester, 07 3138 9449, rod.chester@qut.edu.au
After hours: 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
