Supporting our region's agricultural research leaders

The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop MP has awarded John Dillon Fellowships to nine talented agricultural research managers from the Indian Ocean Asia Pacific who are at the forefront of the development of their agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries in their countries.

Speaking at Parliament House, Canberra, Minister Bishop said the Coalition Government has focused its foreign policy on “economic diplomacy” which will support, amongst other aims, alleviating poverty through sustainable economic growth. “Strong agricultural sectors lead to strong economies in our region,” the Minister said.

The 2014 John Dillon Fellows are in Australia to take part in a six-week leadership development program which includes opportunities to connect with Australians working in similar fields.

John Dillon Fellowships, part of the Australia Awards, are provided by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and offer up to $25,000 for each recipient. They recognise the late Professor John Dillon, who was one of Australia’s leading agricultural economists, and a strong advocate of international agricultural research and collaboration.

The 2014 John Dillon Fellows are key collaborators in ACIAR research programs on coffee and aquaculture in PNG, fisheries and forestry in Indonesia, fresh water fisheries in Lao PDR, vegetables in the Philippines, grasslands and livestock production in China, the dairy industry in Pakistan, and livestock and human health in Vietnam.

Prior to visiting Canberra, the John Dillon Fellows visited agricultural industries and research collaborators in Western Australia and South Australia. They will also travel to research institutions inNSW, Queensland and Tasmania.

John Dillon Fellowship 2014 awardees

The 2014 John Dillon Fellows:

Dr Rina Laksmi Hendrati, Researcher, Centre for Forest Biotechnology and Tree Improvement, Yogyakarta, INDONESIA

Dr Lilis Sadiyah, Research Group Leader, Research Centre for Fisheries Management and Conservation, Jakarta, INDONESIA

Ms Matilda Hamago, Training Course Coordinator – Women in Coffee Development, Coffee Industry Corporation Ltd, Goroka, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Mr Gideon Pama, Manager – Freshwater Aquaculture, National Fisheries Authority, Port Moresby,PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Ms Maria Lilia Vega, Research Project Coordinator, Visayas State University, Baybay City, Leyte,PHILIPPINES

Dr Malavanh Chittavong, Vice Head of Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Laos, Vientiane, LAO PDR

Dr Nguyen Viet Hung, Deputy Head of Centre for Public Health and Ecosystem Research, Hanoi School of Public Health, Hanoi, VIETNAM

Dr Yingjun Zhang, Dean of Grassland Science Department, China Agricultural University, Beijing,CHINA

Dr Hassan Warriach, Project Manager, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore,PAKISTAN

Source: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR): http://aciar.gov.au/news-and-media/supporting-our-regions-agricultural-research-leaders