ANU strengthens research and space industry ties with France

Publication date
Thursday, 3 May 2018
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The Australian National University (ANU) has strengthened its research ties and space industry collaboration with France by signing two agreements that were witnessed by French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Australia.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, President Macron and French Higher Education Minister Frederique Vidal witnessed the new agreements, signed at Admiralty House in front of Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove.

ANU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Margaret Harding signed the two agreements with the leading French research agency CNRS. She also held talks with the head of the French Space Agency CNES.

"As Australia's national university, ANU has strong education and research links with institutions in France and we are delighted to extend that collaboration during President Macron's visit to Australia," Professor Harding said.

"These research collaborations and emerging opportunities with the French National Space Agency as well as industry players and policy makers will help Australia build on its research strengths and will enable ANU to play a central role in leading Australia's space innovation industries."

"Together, we have a common goal to build on the growing ties with industry on crucial areas such as defence, policy analytics, satellite imagery and instrument technology."

The ANU agreements will extend a collaboration on Fundamental Mathematics and Photonics research between the ANU, CNRS and French Australian partner universities.

The new agreements follow the 2017 visit to ANU by former French prime minister and foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault to witness a strategic partnership between ANU and the leading French research university PSL.