SMaRT joins Australian technology initiative

The UNSW SMaRT Centre is lending its support to a new Australian Government initiative to attract international technology talent as the country strives to meet various national priorities such as enhanced manufacturing capability and developing a circular economy. 

The Australian Global Talent Attraction Taskforce is a whole-of-nation initiative, hosted by the Department of Home Affairs in partnership with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. It is supported by: Treasury; Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources; Department of Defence; Department of Education, Skills and Employment; state and territory governments.

The Prime Minister's Special Envoy, Peter Verwer AO, requested the support for the Taskforce which is one of the Prime Minister's initiatives to help kick start the economy by attracting extraordinary talent and successful businesses to relocate to Australia. This includes attracting people and businesses in the circular economy to make the move to Australia through the Global Talent visa program.

In supporting the initiative, Veena said: "It is a real privilege to live, work and have a family in Australia, and for me, my passion for science and technology continues to grow as we strive to help solve some of our global and local challenges. It is also vitally important to continue to encourage people to join us in solving for these challenges.

"It is crucial for science, industry and the community to collaboratively work together on societal solutions, such as the microrecycling science and new technologies I and my team at the Sustainable Materials Research and Technology Centre at the University of New South Wales (SMaRT@UNSW) are pioneering. Science, engineering and many technical skills are going play such a vital role in developing solutions.

"Without these skills, we will not be able to enjoy some of the things we now take for granted, especially in these times of COVID-19. Recovering critical and valuable materials from waste must play a role in helping to electrify the world as we move towards renewable energies, reducing our carbon footprint, and being truly more sustainable. Collaborating with industry, researchers and the community to tackle these challenges will deliver better social, environmental and economic outcomes."

Visit the Taskforce site