Wednesday 26 November 2014

069 - Possibilities for Cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and Croatian Scientific Diaspora in Australia

069 - Possibilities for Cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and Croatian Scientific Diaspora in Australia

Boris Martinec
(Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Australija)

Science and scientific knowledge are an essential part of human culture. Given that over centuries scientific discoveries have provided the basis of technological progress that helped to improve the human living conditions and also greatly contributed to justice and fairness in democratic societies around the world, advancement of science and its applications is vital to advance human welfare and well-being.

Consequently, science is of crucial importance to the future of any modern society. It is thus, of particular concern the recent increase in migration of young and educated people from Croatia to other countries in search of better educational, professional and economic opportunities than those their homeland can offer them at present. In my presentation I will focus on possibilitiesand opportunities that may help to slow down such a trend in the future for the benefit of the Croatian people.

Australian scientists have for many years collaborated at the individual level with their peers worldwide. Over more than a decade now National Health & Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council, two major research funding bodies in Australia, have started introducing new initiatives towards a greater scientific collaboration with scientists around the world. In addition, Australian Universities have extended their teaching programs overseas and provide scholarships and fellowships for international students and junior scientists.

These examples may serve as a model towards promoting an intensified scientific cooperation between Australia and Croatia.

The recent membership of Croatia in the European Union opens additional possibilities for such cooperation. The Croatian scientific diaspora in Australia could significantly contribute to such an initiative by serving as its actor, promotor and facilitator.

Paper presented at the First Croatian Emigration Congress, Zagreb 23 - 26 June 2014.


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