Australia in the Asian Century: Issues Paper
The Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering (ATSE) welcomes this opportunity to express views on the Australia in the Asian Century: Issues Paper.
China and India are now at the forefront of some fields of science and technology. Thus there are significant potential economic benefits from Australia expanding its STI cooperation with these countries.
The Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering (ATSE) welcomes this opportunity to express views on the Australia in the Asian Century: Issues Paper. ATSE believes that the preparation of the proposed White Paper is very timely. ATSE’s main interest relates to the final question in the Issues Paper:
“How well positioned is Australia to connect productively with Asian countries in relation to innovation, research and development, including transfers and collaboration of knowledge and skills?”
However many of our comments are also relevant to other discussion points in the Issues Paper. ATSE believes that international collaboration in science, technology and innovation (STI) is critical to Australia’s technological development and economic growth. It also contributes to other Australia policy objectives in the region.
Science and technology policy has played a significant role in Australia’s foreign policy objectives over the years. Government can use international research collaboration to build closer relations with other countries, particularly those in our region. One example of this is the dividend that Australia has gained through research collaboration with Indonesia, extending back to the period when Dr Habibie was Indonesian Minister for Research. A more current example is the goodwill that Chinese-Australian researchers are generating through research collaboration with the country from which they have emigrated.
The number of bilateral science cooperation agreements that Australia has signed with other countries illustrates this point. In seeking to develop relations with other countries, science cooperation has been seen as an activity that builds bridges and provides mutual benefits. Further, science cooperation under bilateral agreements is usually directed towards mutually agreed priorities.
In addition, some of the challenges Australia faces (e.g. global warming, satellite communications) are global in character and require a science and technology based response. Again, STI collaboration plays a key role.
