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MEDIA RELEASE
19 June 2009
Go8 offers support to the University of L’Aquila
The Group of Eight today announced it will offer up to eight scholarships to early career researchers in the Italian city of L’Aquila to help them continue their research in Australia while the University of L’Aquila is rebuilt.
In the aftermath of the April 2009 earthquake in L’Aquila which claimed nearly 300 lives and left thousands injured, the university has virtually shut down. Fifty five of those who died were from the university’s 23,000-strong student body.
“Most of the university buildings are currently inaccessible and it will take at least 6-12 months before research staff and students will be allowed to access them,” said Professor Silvia Bisti, who holds a chair of neuroscience in L’Aquila’s Department of Biomedical Science and Technology.
“PhD students and postdoc fellows, particularly in the scientific fields, are the worst affected. The earthquake destroyed their laboratories, making continuation of their research almost impossible.”
Professor Anna Tozzi, PVC International Relationships at the University of L’Aquila, said “the Go8 contribution will make an enormous difference, providing not only practical help for researchers to continue their work but also hope for the community.”
The Go8 will offer eight one-off scholarships of $5000 each to early career researchers to travel to Australia and spend time conducting research at Go8 member universities.
The scholarships will be administered through the Association for Research between Italy and Australasia (ARIA) and applications will be assessed by an expert panel.
Eligible researchers are those currently enrolled in a research degree at the University of L’Aquila or full-time staff of the university. Preference will be given to PhD students and early career researchers.
Further information and application form
For information: Kerrie Thornton, Director, Communications and International, Ph: 02 6239 5488
For comment: Professor Silvia Bisti, The University of L’Aquila. E-mail
For comment: Vittorio Brando, Association for Research between Italy and Australasia, Ph: 02 6246 5716 and 0418 656 084
Go8 website