Annual Report 2007 - The Australian Nanotechnology Network

INTERNATIONAL VISITS BY NETWORK MEMBERS
Ms Tina Rankovic –Taiwan Nano 2007
The following are some highlights from the report by Ms Tina Rankovic, CEO of the Australian
Nano Business Forum, whose trip to Taiwan for Taiwan Nano 2007 was partly covered by
ARCNN. One of her objectives was to promote ICONN 2008.
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to disseminate information to the addressees regarding the Taiwan
Nano 2007 conference and exhibition held in Taipei 13 – 16 June 2007. Additionally
discussions held in associated meetings are also summarised.
Overview:
Taiwan Nano is marketed as a major annual international nanotechnology event, combining a
conference and exhibition. In 2007, it was held at the prestigious National Taiwan University
(NTU) in Taipei. It incorporates a range of activities including an International Nanotechnology
Workshop and Business Opportunity Forum, Taiwan Nano Exhibition, Asia Nano Forum (ANF)
Teacher’s Workshop, National Nanotech Innovation Competition and the Annual Meeting of the
National Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Program.
The Australian delegation comprised of four individuals: Tina Rankovic (CEO, ANBF), Jane
Niall (Deputy Secretary, DIIRD), Clive Davenport (CEO, Small Technologies Cluster and
President, MANCEF) and Francesca Calati (Manager, Accelerated Curriculum and
Nanotechnology, St Helena Secondary College).
The objectives of the delegation were as follows:
Promote Australian nanotechnology capability
Promote the forthcoming 12th International COMS Conference (2 – 6 September, 2007)
Promote the forthcoming 2008 International Conference on Nanoscience and
Nanotechnology (ICONN) (25 – 29 February, 2008)
Continue ANBF relationship–building with ANF members.
Conference and Exhibition:
Commentary on key elements of the conference and exhibition are detailed below:
National Nanotech Innovation Competition – A number of awards were made at the opening
ceremony on 14 June. The conference and exhibition was opened by President Chen, and this
was covered extensively by the local electronic and print media organisations. The award
recipients included both academia and industry organisations. The recipients received both
public recognition and financial rewards of up to NT$100,000 (AU$1= ~ NT$27). It was
interesting to note that award winners were lauded in a similar way to Australian sporting
heroes!
ANF Teachers Workshop – This component of the conference was held on 14 – 15 June and was
attended by Francesca Calati, who made a presentation on St Helena Secondary College’s
nanotechnology education programme.
International Nanotechnology Workshop and Business Opportunity Forum – This component of
the conference was held on 14 – 15 June and was attended by Clive Davenport and Tina
Rankovic. The quality of the presentations was highly variable, and generally not of the standard
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