ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt hosted a visit by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and senior representatives from the Fraunhofer Society, the Centre of Applied Economic Research Münster, and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. The delegation was led by Mr Frithjof Maennel, Deputy Director General, International Cooperation in Education and Research, BMBF.

The visit included an executive meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rae Frances, Dean of the ANU College of Arts and Social sciences, and ANUCES members including Professor Jaqueline Lo, Dr Annmarie Elijah, Dr Katie Sutton (School of Literature Languages and Linguistics), and Ms Anne McNaughton (College of Law.) The meeting included discussion on ANU–German collaborations, bilateral cooperation in humanities and social sciences, the Australia-Germany Energy Transition Hub, and access to European research funding and support for ANU-Germany collaborative projects. The executive meeting was followed by a lunch hosted by Provost Professor Mike Calford with members of the ANU Colleges of Science, and Health and Medicine.

“The delegation greatly enjoyed their visit to ANU, the many inspiring discussions and meeting new Australian partners,” said Dr Judith Reinhard, Head of Science and Innovation at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, and member of the delegation. “The BMBF is looking forward to continuing and expanding research and innovation linkages with Australia, especially in the field of energy research including hydrogen.”