Queensland and Japan universities to continue energy innovation

• New Memorandum of Understanding between The University of Queensland and The University of Tokyo
• Japan identified as strategic priority market for Research and Development collaborations by UQ
• University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology contributing to advances in Queensland’s clean energy

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick has welcomed the extension of an important research partnership on the opening day of his trade mission to Japan and Europe.

The University of Queensland and the University of Tokyo have signed another Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand on 25 years of collaborative research.

The MOU has increasingly broadened its scope towards Queensland’s renewable energy industries, particularly hydrogen and biofuel.

The extended MOU signed on Friday will initially focus on collaboration between University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) and UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.

The collaboration is expected to lead to larger-scale research, demonstration, and social implementation projects.

RCAST is led by distinguished Professor Masakazu Sugiyama, who himself has made a significant contribution to the development of Queensland’s hydrogen industry.

Dr Sugiyama was appointed as Queensland hydrogen envoy to Japan in 2019 by the Treasurer, serving as State Development Minister at the time.

Quotes attributed to Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, Cameron Dick:

“Queensland is transitioning to a new power super grid to reach 80 per cent renewable energy by 2035.

“To reach this target, the Palaszczuk Government’s budget includes a $19 billion capital investment over the next four years to deliver the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.

“This important research partnership provides invaluable support to reach our renewable energy goals.

“Expanding the scope of the MOU to bioengineering and nanotechnology will further advance the state’s capabilities to process new sustainable fuel sources.”

Quotes attributed to UQ’s Principal Research Fellow, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Associate Professor Esteban Marcellin Saldana:

“As Queensland rapidly accelerates its transition towards a low-carbon economy, the need to identify and harness sustainable energy sources is paramount.

“For example, we have an opportunity to change the way we’re producing fuels and chemicals to lesson our dependence on finite fossil fuel resources.

“At the AIBN, our activity exploring the role of synthetic biology in advancing the biomanufacturing sector is just one of the many areas in which we look forward to collaborating with RCAST.”

Quotes attributed to Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner for Japan, Tak Adachi:

“There are many synergies between these two great institutions and it’s wonderful to see such a prosperous partnership continue.

“Japan and Queensland have much to offer each other as it relates to our shared renewable energy future and we are working daily to identify opportunities for ongoing investment and information exchange.”

Further information:

• Established in 1987, RCAST is an innovative multi-discipline research institution that brings together leading researchers both globally and within Japan to conduct barrier-free research to meet the needs of society.   
• The University of Tokyo is one of the oldest and the most prestigious public universities in Japan, currently ranked in the top 40 in the world.
• There are currently more than 60 active Queensland–Japan education-related MOUs.
• UQ recently signed an MOU with the Japanese Government’s Moonshot Research and Development program with the aim to support the establishment of a new Sustainable Aviation Fuels industry in Queensland.
• Trade and Investment Queensland is the State Government’s international business agency with a network of 18 offices in 14 key markets to attract investment and drive exports.

ENDS

Media contact: Campbell Gellie 0433 987 744