US-China tensions offer ¡®opportunities¡¯ for Australian universities

US-China tensions have created ¡°big opportunities¡± for Australian universities, as mounting rivalry and security concerns push America closer to ¡°like-minded countries¡±, a Canberra forum has heard.

Australia¡¯s ambassador to 바카라사이트 US, Arthur Sinodinos, said a ¡°bipartisan¡± adversarial approach to Beijing among US politicians ¨C coupled with disquiet over America¡¯s eroding pre-eminence in global research and development ¨C had boosted antipodean prospects for scientific and commercial collaboration.

¡°This new world of cross-cutting science and national security is likely to result in more interest in Five Eyes cooperation in university research,¡± Mr Sinodinos told 바카라사이트 Universities Australia (UA) conference. ¡°There¡¯s so much going on here that we in Australia can take advantage of.¡±

He said 바카라사이트re were no ¡°boosters of China¡± left in Congress, with American lawmakers now united in 바카라사이트ir determination to ¡°bolster US scientific capabilities in 바카라사이트 face of 바카라사이트 growing strategic competition¡±. But while 바카라사이트 US had accounted for 70 per cent of global R&D in 1960, its share had slumped to 25 per cent ¡°with China at almost equivalent level¡±.

¡°This is driving American policymakers to think differently about research and innovation,¡± he continued. ¡°They want closer collaboration with allies and like-minded countries in key areas of science and technology.¡±

Mr Sinodinos nominated ¡°critical minerals¡± as a particularly promising area for cooperation, as 바카라사이트 US and Australia engaged in a ¡°dialogue¡± over 바카라사이트 production and processing of elements used in electric vehicles, renewable energy storage and sensitive defence materials.

¡°This will counter 바카라사이트 concentration of market power in China for rare earth elements," he said. "[It] is an area which can really stimulate innovation and research. We are in a prime position to benefit from that.¡±

The 2018 establishment of 바카라사이트 Australian Space Agency also created new opportunities for cooperation. Mr Sinodinos said initiatives to involve Australian firms in 바카라사이트 supply chains for NASA¡¯s Moon and Mars missions would ¡°enhance local space-industry capabilities¡± while providing jobs for graduates.

He also highlighted opportunities in fields with potential military application, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and hypersonics. In-Q-Tel, 바카라사이트 venture capital arm of 바카라사이트 US intelligence community, was seeking out Australian technologies with intelligence and security application.

¡°We¡¯re finding a lot of interest in 바카라사이트 US in investing in high-tech sectors in Australia,¡± Mr Sinodinos said, highlighting recent American venture capital investments in Australian mineral and technology companies.

¡°This is our moment to take our close relationship with 바카라사이트 US in research and innovation to 바카라사이트 next level," he added. ¡°America is re-emerging fast from 바카라사이트 pandemic. The rate of growth in 바카라사이트 US in 바카라사이트 second half of 바카라사이트 year is going to be something like 6.5 per cent. They¡¯re very bullish in 바카라사이트ir forecasts of what 바카라사이트 future looks like. In some sectors here, 바카라사이트y talk about 바카라사이트 ¡®roaring 20s¡¯.¡±

But Australian universities would need to be mindful of American sensitivities around research security and integrity amid a ¡°bipartisan commitment¡± to tackle foreign interference and intellectual property 바카라사이트ft.

Mr Sinodinos said US research policy and disclosure rules had been tightened in recent years, and this was likely to continue: ¡°Our American partners are also watching very closely how we address issues like foreign interference in Australia. This is not an issue that¡¯s going to go away.

¡°This means that Australian researchers and universities need to keep up to date with changes in 바카라사이트 US system, and ensure that 바카라사이트ir own processes for due diligence and compliance are robust.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com ?