The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), based at the University of Tasmania, has launched a new joint agricultural research centre with China’s Zhejiang University - adding to existing TIA projects, increasing postgraduate research opportunities in Tasmania, and boosting a crucial area of agricultural research.
Representatives from TIA and Zhejiang University met in Launceston recently to finalise arrangements for the Australia-China Joint Research Centre for Plant Stress Biology (RCPSB).
The Centre’s work will combine the research expertise of leading Australian and Chinese researchers focusing on plant tolerance to environmental stresses - such as drought, salinity, acid soil and waterlogging.
"The Centre will provide access to unique research facilities and plant varieties in the participating institutions, optimising the use of resources and creating conditions for further expansion and collaboration," TIA Director Professor Holger Meinke said today. "It will further expand the University of Tasmania’s reputation as a centre of research excellence."
The administrative hub of the Centre will be at Zhejiang University, managed by three co-directors - TIA’s Professor Sergey Shabala and Associate Professor Meixue Zhou, and Prof Guoping Zhang (Zhejiang University).
Issued by: TIA Corporate Communications: Amanda Cromer on 0404 898 444; amanda.cromer@utas.edu.au
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