ASAIN officially launched on the 29th of October, 2024.
🚀 ASAIN has launched! 🚀
On Tuesday the 29th of October, we were joined by more than 70 new ASAIN members at the Novartis Pavillion in Basel, to officially launch the Australian Swiss Academic & Innovation Network.
It was a hugely successful event, putting a spotlight on the strong commitment between Australia and Switzerland for research, tech innovation, and collaborative projects. From humanities to sciences, participants from across career stages gathered to celebrate and explore new connections and discuss what ASAIN can do for them.
Opening remarks were given by Selcen Erdem of Novartis and H.E. Elizabeth Day, the Australian Ambassador to Switzerland. Selcen reiterated Novartis' ongoing support since 2014 of the Swiss Australian Academic Network (SAAN), and now, to ASAIN. Liz expressed her huge optimism for ASAIN and its potential to become a cornerstone of Swiss-Australian cooperation.
Next up we heard from Andy Oates, who shared his own story as an Australian building an international research career and the value of personal connections. Critically, we learnt that his research colony of zebrafish are much happier now they are swimming in the clear, alpine water of a Swiss laboratory - the best they've ever tasted.
Finally, Arianna Oddo spoke on behalf of the University of Melbourne and SAAN. She told a story previous successes, and how ASAIN has already brought a number of new Aus-Swiss collaborations at her own institution to her attention; the network works!
Once the formalities were over, our new members mixed with each other and the real work of ASAIN began. All sorts of interesting conversations were overheard, new connections were being made, and more than one member learnt how to use the "LinkedIn QR code" feature for the very first time. ASAIN teaching us critical skills, one more in the toolbox of the modern networking professional ;).
Thanks once more to Novartis and Novartis, Australia & New Zealand, for being our gracious hosts and ensuring the food and drinks were plentiful, and to the Australian Swiss Chamber of Commerce (AusCham) for being a close partner of ASAIN (represented by Arv Sreedhar). Finally, thank you to you; all of our guests who showed up in Basel to give their support. You, the members, are the Australian Swiss Academic & Innovation Network!