Group welcoming visiting Chinese researchers taking part in the New Zealand China Scientist Exchange Programme June 2014

The 2014 New Zealand-China Scientist Exchange Programme was launched at the Royal Society of New Zealand, Wellington on June 4, 2014. The delegation consisted of 10 Chinese scholars from different institutions in China. Prof. QIU Dongru from Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IHB) was invited as a participant in the six-week trip.    

On June 4, the 10-member delegation arrived in New Zealand and first visited the Royal Society of New Zealand. Dr. Seishi Gomibuchi, coordinator of the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, introduced the S&T policies and major innovative systems of New Zealand. Based on the facts of the country, the government of New Zealand established the Centres of Researsch Excellence (CoREs) which aims to maximize the value of research and research training by sharing knowledge among disciplines and fostering a culture of international excellence. Seven institutes comprise the Associate of Centres of Researsch Excellence (aCoREs).    

At the presentation session, Prof. Qiu introduced IHB and his research group and research interests for the public. On June 6, Prof. Qiu visited Prof. Bernd H. A. Rehm’s lab at the Institute of Molecular Biosciences of Massey University. They discussed the possible collaboration between both parties in the fields of mutual interest. Prof. Bernd Rehm is a principal investigator of the MacDiarmid Institute which is one of the seven aCoREs. During his visit, Prof. Qiu also met with Dr. Chris Tanner who leads National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)’s Water Quantity and Quality research programme, and interacted with him on issues regarding future cooperation. 

In February 2009 the New Zealand Ministry of 

Prof. QIU Dongruvisited Prof. Bernd H. A. Rehm’s lab at the Institute of Molecular Biosciences of Massey University.

Business, Innovation, and Employment (formerly MoRST) and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) signed an arrangement to encourage and facilitate greater understanding and development of research linkages between New Zealand and China. The arrangement provides for that support to be provided through the New Zealand-China Scientist Exchange Programme. The objectives of the scientific exchange programme are to encourage and facilitate greater understanding and development of research linkages for up to 20 researchers of New Zealand and China (10 each), to facilitate access to expertise in each country, and to extend cooperation in jointly agreed priority research fields for collaboration.