QUEENSLAND'S GERMAN CONNECTIONS - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

“What you put in, you get out” Longstanding links with Germany

Our engagement with Germany also focuses on Australian and German government bodies related to education, trade, research and innovation to raise awareness of UQ in Germany and to strengthen ties. UQ currently engages in and is planning a series of high level events including diplomatic visits, symposiums, research missions and cultural exchanges and is honoured to have our top researchers invited to present at the Ambassador’s Science Circle events in Berlin. In 2011, UQ held the first UQ-German Research and Studies day, in collaboration with the Humboldt Foundation, the DAAD, DIISR, FEAST, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität Munich, the University of Tübingen, as well as Faculties and Institutes from across UQ to highlight and celebrate collaborative UQ-German research and studies activities through a showcase and workshop investigating multi-disciplinary integrated solutions to address global challenges. The event brought together international researchers to discuss global challenges, and demonstrated UQ as a highly engaged partner and gateway for European institutes in Asia, Africa and Latin America. UQ’s collaboration with industry has seen great advances in technology and in 2011 UQ entered into a landmark agreement with technology specialist Siemens, to install a powerful MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) system that is more than twice as strong as any other MRI system currently available in the Southern Hemisphere.

Funded by the Federal Government, with matching funds from UQ, the Siemens MAGNETOM 7T MRI is set to propel Australia’s research and development capabilities to global benchmarks. The new system will benefit important research programs into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, stroke, epilepsy, motor neurone disease, brain tumours, and multiple sclerosis. Siemens Healthcare Vice President Richard Guest says that the 7T MRI system and the strong collaborative partnership between Siemens and UQ scientists would revolutionise research in Australia by overcoming the limitations of existing MRI technology. UQ’s partnership with Germany will continue to grow and further develop our collective potential in Learning, Discovery and Engagement. uq.edu.au

Forgan Smith Building – The University of Queensland, St Lucia. Image UQA S178 b553 courtesy of University of Queensland Archives

The Forgan Smith Building - The University of Queensland, St Lucia today. The University of Queensland is the oldest in Queensland, and German Consul Dr Eugen Hirschfeld was a member of the university’s first Senate when it was founded in 1911.

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