Chinese Academy of Tropical Agriculture Sciences

This partnership is between the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) and Deakin's Centre for Material and Fibre Innovation (CMFI).

The CMFI is a multidisciplinary research group that addresses the needs of the materials manufacturing industries. Recently, its research has broadened to include advanced materials for automotive and aerospace applications, functional fibres and technical textiles, and biomaterials.

CATAS is engaged in research for sustainable rural and agricultural development in tropical and subtropical China. It has 10 research institutes, a number of national, ministerial and provincial laboratories, and inspecting, analytical and test centres.

In August 2007, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was established between CFMI and CATAS which established the following common interests and goals:

• shared interests and expertise in education and research
• shared interests in exploring the possibility of establishing a collaborative relationship, including the carrying out of activities relevant to their respective interests and expertise
• the establishment of a working relationship between the organisations which will lead to one of more collaborative activities in the future.

The partnership is about sharing expertise between the Academy and Deakin, and the associated relationships are defined by collaboration. They are based on common interests, complementary skills, shared resources, and research training (e.g. research fellows exchanged between countries). There is also a cross-cultural dimension to the partnership with key partners spending time in each culture.

A joint research centre of advanced materials has been established and a number of research projects have been developed. The benefits of this partnership are:

• development of Deakin's research strengths in the area of fibre/polymer science
• wide scope for future expansion
• increased international profile for Deakin
• potential to contribute to China's economic growth
• significant goodwill toward the research which enables regional growth and prosperity
• increased Chinese community profile in Melbourne/Australia
• facilitating Deakin and/or the Chinese region to become a 'top research precinct' resulting in flow-on benefits.