Agrifood Innovation Institute

The Agrifood Hub was a hive of activity this morning, as we had the honour of hosting FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu and Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol for their visit to The Australian National University. Following a tour of the Australian Plant Phenomics Network facility at ANU, the Director-General spoke passionately about the history of the FAO, challenges facing global agriculture now, and the importance of the next generation of agricultural scientists. We were also fortunate to hear from early career researchers Harry Campbell-Ross, James Moloney, Nikki Dumbrell and John Yaxley from the ANU Fenner School, CSIRO and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). Thank you to everyone who participated, it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with so many people passionate about ag! 📸 Nic Vevers, ANU College of Science

Join us for First Wednesday Connect (FWC) at The Australian National University! The Agrifood Innovation Institute invites you to join us for the final FWC of the year. FWC is the Canberra Innovation Network's monthly networking event that aims to broaden the innovation ecosystem in Canberra and encourage collaboration between members of the wider innovation community. Whether you’re a student, researcher, entrepreneur or innovator of any kind, you are welcome to join us at 5pm Wednesday 6 November at the Agrifood Hub, Gould Building 116, Daley Road, ANU. You will hear from Canberra’s emerging entrepreneurs as they take the stage in the high-intensity pitch blitz. It is free to come along, although registrations are essential! Register here >> https://lnkd.in/d2Xdp_i7 We can't wait to see you there!

Meet the The Australian National University APPN team and see how we can accelerate crop science! Visit the APPN stand at ANU’s 2024 Research Infrastructure Expo on 27 November to see how we grow, image and analyse plants for research. Click for details, or scan the below QR code: https://lnkd.in/gAp65K_5 Look forward to seeing you there 🌱

It was a pleasure to welcome Australia’s Chief Scientist Cathy Foley to The Australian National University last week.    While on campus, Dr Foley was joined by Provost Rebekah Brown and Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research Initiatives and Infrastructure Ute Roessner AM FAA for presentations by ANU researchers. The presentations covered initiatives that harness the interdisciplinary expertise and infrastructure of the University and our partners to address community and industry needs in agrifood, climate and space governance.    Dr Foley toured Australian Plant Phenomics Network and Plant Synbio NCRIS facilities, meeting staff and students from AFII and the ARC Training Centre for Future Crops Development.    She spoke about the importance of Australia’s National Science and Research Priorities in guiding the work we do to promote the best outcomes for the community, and about promoting multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary thinking among HASS and STEM researchers. She also discussed how researchers can make a greater impact by effectively communicating their research outcomes.    While Dr Foley will end her term as Chief Scientist at the end of this year, we are grateful for her insights and engagement and look forward to continuing to support researchers across campus to work together to deliver innovative research and development with a real-world impact. 

If you're an ANU student with an interest in climate policy, check out this amazing opportunity from our friends at the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions!

✨ Opportunity for ANU undergraduate and postgraduate students with an early-stage business idea or concept, technical solution or potential identified problem, to stress test their business viability ✨ From Innovation to Impact is an immersive two-day workshop funded by The Australian National University (ANU) to empower deep tech startups and propel businesses along the commercialisation journey. Designed and delivered by Cicada Innovations, this course has helped 350+ businesses get unique access to experts, entrepreneurs and operators who provide specialist advice on how to build a deep tech business. Through this workshop, you will gain the knowledge and confidence to: - Articulate your unique value proposition and place in the market - Become "grant ready" - Build partnerships and find investors - Expand your network with key industry and ecosystem experts in the sector The workshop will take place at ANU and places are limited to 30 people. For more information and to express your interest by 10 November 2024, go to https://lnkd.in/giBU98Ux This opportunity is fully-funded by ANU. 🗓️ 26-27 November 2024 ⏰ Time: 9.00 - 4.00pm  📍 The Australian National University

Proposed changes at ANU, a visit from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Director General, and celebrating the achievements of our Agrifood Innovation Hub members. Read more about latest happenings at AFII from our Director Owen Atkin 👇

If you're an ANU undergraduate or postgraduate student with an interest in the agrifood or agritech sectors, the Agrifood Innovation Institute would like to hear from you. Applications are now open for AFII sponsorship to attend the country’s biggest agrifood tech event AgriFutures evokeAG, in Brisbane on 18-19 February 2025. The annual event attracts leaders, farmers, innovators, accelerators, researchers, universities, corporates, government and investors to learn what is happening across agrifood tech in Australia and the world. AFII will provide five students with: 🎟️ an evokeAG two-day conference ticket ✈️ reimbursement of travel, accommodation and other related costs (i.e. taxis, meals) up to $1500. You can apply in two easy steps: ✏️ Complete this online form >> https://lnkd.in/gNt4biAa 📄 Send a copy of your most recent academic transcript to agrifood@anu.edu.au Expressions of interest close on 27 October 2024. Late applications will not be considered, so don't delay! To learn more about next year’s evokeAG event, and see the program, go here >> https://lnkd.in/gxhdcKnE

Shoutout to Hub member PPB Technology Pty Ltd and how their CYBERTONGUE® technology is helping to achieve a UN Sustainable Development Goal in helping to reduce food waste and loss in the dairy industry

If you're a startup in the agrifood space, there are a range of opportunities for you at evokeAG 2025 👇