The Victorian Government has offered assistance to Japanese scientists affected by the earthquake and tsunami by providing access to the Australian.

 

Innovation Minister, Louise Asher, said that together with the Australian Synchrotron and several Victorian universities, the Victorian Government is immediately making Victorian Government beamtime at the Australian Synchrotron available for Japanese scientists and students.

 

The Photon Factory, one of Japan’s major synchrotron facilities, sustained significant damage from the earthquake and will take some months to repair.

 

“Victoria has close ties with the Japanese science community and the Director of the Photon Factory Professor Soichi Wakatsuki is a member of the Australian Synchrotron Science Advisory Committee,” Ms Asher said.

 

Japan generously hosted Australian researchers at the Photon Factory before the Australian Synchrotron was commissioned.

 

“Victoria has greatly appreciated the support of the Japanese scientific community and we are pleased to be able to provide support in these difficult circumstances,” Ms Asher said.

 

Australian Synchrotron Director Professor Keith Nugent said the Australian Synchrotron and the Photon Factory have a Memorandum of Understanding to support collaborative scientific research.

 

“The international synchrotron community is a tightly connected network – many Japanese scientists have contributed to building the Australian Synchrotron, and it’s fitting that we support our colleagues in Japan in their time of need,” Professor Nugent said.

 

Japanese students interested in accessing this offer can apply online through StudyMelbourne (www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/synchrotron) and Japanese scientists can apply through the Australian Synchrotron (www.synchrotron.org.au).