The BRIN-Victoria Research and Innovation Forum was recently held in Jakarta on February 21-22. The Victorian Government partnered with the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to organise the event. The purpose of the Forum was to facilitate scientific dialogue between BRIN researchers and Victorian universities and explore potential research collaborations on common areas of interest. This also presented an opportunity for Victorian universities to showcase their higher degree research programs to BRIN researchers interested in pursuing higher degree research studies overseas, taking advantage of BRIN's Degree By Research Program.
The Forum was attended by 10 delegates from 5 Victorian universities: Deakin University, Monash University, RMIT University, Swinburne University, and The University of Melbourne. Keynote addresses were also delivered by Victoria's Lead Scientist, Dr Amanda Caples, and the CSIRO. The Forum focused on research areas that align with the capabilities of Victorian universities and were of interest to BRIN, including environment, conservation, marine biosciences, health, aerospace and advanced manufacturing, and energy.
Victoria is the first Australian state or territory to form a strategic partnership with BRIN, and the successful Forum marked a significant milestone in this commitment. The event drew in more than 420 participants over two days, and four institutional agreements were signed between Victorian universities and BRIN during the opening ceremony.
