The Austrian-Australian Society will hold a symposium which will focus on collaboration in research and development in the fields of information technology, engineering and natural science. This event will build on the highly successful ÖAG symposium held in Vienna on 11 October 2018, entitled "Austria and Australia - A Global Relationship in the 21st Century", at which political and economic relations between the two countries were discussed and analysed.
 
Themes
Austria and Australia are geographically far apart, but ongoing free trade negotiations between the EU and Australia are bringing them closer together. Both countries recognise that technological innovations are the key to their future prosperity in an increasingly competitive international economic environment. Both countries see their universities and research institutions as having a crucial role to play in the research and development of innovative technologies.

Austrian and Australian universities and research institutions are already working together in various technological fields. However, there continues to be unrealised potential for further collaboration in areas of current and emerging research strengths and technological capabilities. Exciting opportunities now exist for Austrian and Australian universities to develop new research and development programs and to exchange researchers.

The Symposium will address the following questions:
What collaborations in technology-oriented research fields are already taking place and in what forms?
What are the incentives for research collaborations, and how do the partners benefit?
What are the benefits and risks of collaboration?
How can collaborations in research and development between the two countries be expanded and what other possibilities are available?
 
Organisation
Austrian-Australian Society / Österreichisch-Australische Gesellschaft (ÖAG) and Graz University of Technology (TUG) in cooperation with the Australian Embassy in Vienna and the Styrian Provincial Government.