The Italian Ambassador to Austria Giovanni Pugliese has presided over an important scientific diplomacy event – held at Palazzo Metternich, seat of the Italian Embassy in Vienna – dedicated to the institutional launch of ASSAI – Associazione per gli Scambi Scientifici Austria Italia (Association for Scientific Exchanges between Austria and Italy), which brings together Italian academics and researchers living and working in Austria.
“Due to its geographical and cultural contiguity, as well as its excellent scientific ecosystem, Austria is an extremely appealing country for Italian researchers. I am certain that this event will be decisive in strengthening the scientific relations between Austria and Italy. Together, our two countries can not only exchange ideas, but also suggest – using the tools we are equipping ourselves with – an agenda for the development and growth of bilateral and multilateral scientific collaborations,” said Ambassador Pugliese in his welcome speech.
Italian participants included professor Maria Chiara Carrozza, former Italian Minister of Education, University and Research, and current President of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), professor Antonio Zoccoli, President of the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, INFN), and professor Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park Trieste, a scientific and technological hub of interest to the Austrian research community.
Also present were many members of the Italian research community, who engaged in a conversation about their role and experience in Austria and the potential of the newly-established association.
