New Fulbright scholarship announced
News Item
- Date:
- 25 May, 2011
DSTO has joined the Australian American Fulbright Commission to establish the Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Advanced Science and Technology, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon announced today.
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- L to R: Australian-American Fulbright Commission board member Colin Walters, US Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon and Chief Defence Scientist Bob Clark.
"The Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Advanced Science and Technology will provide an opportunity for an outstanding American professor to work with our world-leading scientists in areas of keen interest to both our nations," Mr Snowdon said.
"It is only the second Distinguished Chair to be established in Australia.
"I am very pleased to announce this new arrangement that is a further demonstration of the links between our countries that cross many fields of endeavour."
Chief Defence Scientist Bob Clark said the scholarship would bring to DSTO outstanding American scientists to work on a project in a priority areas.
"This alone will bring significant advantage to DSTO," Professor Clark said.
"However, an even greater benefit will accrue from the first-hand exchange of information and knowledge that the appointees, leaders in their fields, will bring to our institutions."
The Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Advanced Science and Technology has been funded for an initial three years. The Chair is a four to five-month appointment at DSTO or another research institution in Australia linked to DSTO. During the appointment, the Chair will share knowledge through guest lectures, seminars and other opportunities.
The new partnership with the Australian-American Fulbright Commission would add another dimension to an already broad range of collaboration arrangements DSTO has established with institutes and agencies in Australia and overseas, Professor Clark said.
Australian-American Fulbright Commission board member Colin Walters said the commission was looking forward to working with the chairs in the future.
"Distinguished Chairs are viewed as the most prestigious awards in the Fulbright Program - they are aimed at eminent scholars, who have a distinguished track record," Mr Walters said.
US Ambassador Jeffrey Bleich said the Distinguished Chair was an example of the great strength that underpinned America and Australia: a willingness to invest in the future and a commitment to collaboration.
The new Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Science and Technology would add to the bonds that brought the two nations together, he said.
Minister's Snowdon's media release is available from the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel website.
The announcement can also be found on the Fulbright website.
The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is part of Australia's Department of Defence. DSTO's role is to ensure the expert, impartial and innovative application of science and technology to the defence of Australia and its national interests.