The ANU–Australian Embassy Partnership

Presentation to the Consular Corps College

5 December 2013

Dr John WellardCounsellor – ANUEmbassy of Australia, Washington DC USA

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Overview of ANU

• Founded in 1946 as research-only institution.

• Located in Canberra, ACT.• First (and only) Australian university

established through an act of Parliament (ANU Act 1946).

• Foundation Themes: Social, Physical and Biomedical Sciences, Asia-Pacific.

• “Government’s” university - hosts national facilities (e.g.: CTW, NSC, Coombs, NCI).

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Overview of ANU

• Research-intensive.• Receives direct funding from Federal

Government to support research (National Institute Grant).

• 18,700 Students (~50% Post Grad).• 1,600 Faculty and 2,400 Professional

Staff.• 6 Nobel Prizes:

– Medicine (1945, 1963, 1995)– Economics (1994)– Physics (2011)

Why North America?

• The US is ANU’s top destination for academic collaboration, measured by joint publications (co-authored 5,542 publications with US colleagues in 5 years).

• Top 10 institutions for joint publication: – Caltech , Harvard, MIT, University of California,

University of Hawaii, University of Massachusetts, University of Texas, University of Washington, University of Wisconsin, Yale.

• The US still spends billions of dollars in research funding.

• 8 of 10 top world ranked universities.

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ANU North American Liaison Office

• Established in New Haven in 2005.• Based in the Embassy of Australia,

Washington DC, since Jan 2010.• Only embassy-based university.• Whole-of-government approach to foster

the bilateral relationship between Australia and the US.

• Other activities include alumni and philanthropic outreach and development.

• 3 staff (1 A-based, 2 LES)

Engaging with US Stakeholders

• Support the work of ANU in North America, enhancing existing and identifying new opportunities for growth in the university’s institutional footprint.

• Build relationships with universities, research centres, government bodies, industry and more.

• Facilitate research partnerships and educational alliances.

• Opening doors and identifying opportunities.

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ANU Research

• Key thematic issues – Asia-Pacific, Food and Water Security, and Emerging Energy Research.

• Aim to support knowledge-transfer between Australia and the US.

• 20 individual and delegation visits.• Attended 18 conferences/workshops.• Met with >150 organisations.• 4 policy dialogues.

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Working with Agencies within the Embassy

• ANU works closely with the Australian Ambassador to the US and the Embassy staff (completely integrated into the Embassy).

• Joint events/meetings.• Meetings on research proposals.• Work collaboratively on mobility programs.• Agencies can open doors for academics.• Agencies can utilise academic expertise.• Operate at a higher level of detail.

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Working with Agencies within the Embassy

• Austrade• Congressional Liaison Office• Cultural Affairs• Defence Science Technology Organisation• Science & Technology• Defence Policy• Public Affairs• Political• Facilities and Security

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Working with Agencies within the Embassy

Professor Hugh White • Professor of Strategic and International Studies.• Internal embassy briefings and ongoing

collaboration:– HoM, DHoM, Political Branch, Congressional Liaison,

Defence, Defence Policy, Trade.• External engagement (US Gov meetings, public

lectures, think tanks and institutions):– Ambassador’s Dinners, CSIS, Wilson Centre,

Pentagon, ONA, National Security Council, Brookings, SAIS, Chinese Embassy, Senate Staff, Hudson Institute, Asia Group.

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Working with Agencies within the Embassy

Professor Hugh White Outcomes• Raises awareness of ANU and its expertise.• Showcases ANU to policymakers, key decision

makers and media.• Grants US stakeholders access to Australia’s

best and brightest.• Provides embassy with opportunities to engage

with new stakeholders.

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ANU Seminar Series

• China Scholars’ Roundtable Discussion.• Implementing a National Drought Policy:

The Australian Experience.• Naypyitaw: A Home for Myanmar’s Unexpected

Democracy.• Energy Research Capability: Energy in our Future

Society. • Australian Indigenous Art: From Ethnography to

Contemporary Art. • Rethinking the Asia-Pacific Rebalance.• Managing Corruption in Rich Countries.

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Engaging with Industry, Government and Institutions

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Collaborating with Other Universities

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Bilateral Alliances

• Indiana University– Pan-Asia Institute– Visiting Fellowships– Student exchange– Shared teaching

• George Washington University– Student exchange– Shared programs– Indigenous studies

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Giant Magellan Telescope

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Alumni in North America

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Thank You

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