Victoria and Israel Cement ICT Bonds

Victoria and Israel Cement ICT Bonds


Media release - 11 October 2006

The Bracks Government today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Technion, Israel's premier institute of science and technology.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Marsha Thomson, said the agreement paved the way for Victorian ICT organisations to exchange expertise and knowledge with the Technion, particularly in the cutting-edge fields of ICT and nanotechnology.

"Victoria is an established regional hub for ICT, and the Bracks Government is investing strategically in the emerging area of nanotechnology research, building the Synchrotron, investing in the NICTA Victoria Research Laboratory, and initiating industry research clusters such as Nanotechnology Victoria Limited and the Small Scale Technologies Cluster," she said.

Nanotechnology uses matter at a scale of about fifty thousandth the thickness of human hair to build new materials and ICT capability in areas as diverse as health, defence and the environment.

"Nanotechnology is truly amazing. Its potential ranges from nano-sponges that absorb pollution, to targeted drug delivery systems for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Electronic wall-paper that becomes a TV or computer, microscopic water desalination and even defence robots that can detect lethal weapons, could all be possible through new nanotechnologies," said Ms Thomson.

"Victoria has a very highly skilled workforce, which is exactly what we need to advance this sort of leading-edge technology. We have the highest number of science, engineering, electronics and computer graduates in Australia and our state produces more new graduates per capita in ICT and biotechnology than Canada, the US or Japan.

"The Technion is recognised as one of the world's leading a research institutes; 70% of Israeli educated ICT founders and managers have graduated from the Technion. The institute's expertise lies at the interface between nanotechnologies and bioscience – valuable research areas that will certainly be enhanced for both Victoria and Israel through today's agreement.

The MoU is a result of discussions between Ms Thomson and the Technion during a trade mission she led to Israel in April this year. As part of the visit, she also secured new private-sector investment, with leading Israeli solutions provider, Ness Technologies, to open their Australia New Zealand Headquarters in Melbourne, creating up to 50 new jobs.

Victoria already has strong ICT ties with Israel, through the $8.1 million Victoria-Israel Science and Technology R&D fund (VISTECH).