1 August 2004
Monash continues to take a leading role in developing research ties betweenAustralia and Europe via a renewed agreement to provide fellowships for Australian scholars to carry out research at the prestigious European University Institute (EUI).
Under an agreement first signed in 1996 between the Australian European University Institute Fellowships Association Incorporated (AEUIFAI) and the EUI, doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships have been awarded to Australian researchers to spend periods of time at the EUI.
The AEUIFAI is an independent body made up of representatives from a number of Australian universities (currently Monash, Melbourne, Sydney and Deakin universities) and the European Union Delegation in Canberra.
Monash has taken a major role in the association, in terms of funding and leadership, and its secretary and public officer is Monash's Dr Peter Howard, a senior lecturer in the School of Historical Studies.
In early June the AEUIFAI and the EUI signed a renewal of their agreement of co-operation. Monash, which contributed seeding funds of $90,000, has agreed to contribute a further $5,000 per year for the next three years, and make available the resources of the Monash University Centre in Prato. The School of Historical Studies is also providing administrative support.
Dr Howard said the fellowships program had been highly successful, exposing young Australian scholars to the research endeavours of the EUI.
"The EUI promotes research at the highest level bearing on the main policy issues confronting contemporary European society, covering areas including international relations, the environment and gender issues," he said.
"It currently has 330 researchers and academic staff from all member states of the European Union, pursuing research in international law, history and civilisation, political and social science and economics."
Dr Howard said that the head of the European Union Delegation to Australia and New Zealand, His Excellency Piergiorgio Mazzocchi, was currently writing to the vice-chancellors of all other Australian universities urging them to follow Monash's lead in funding fellowship places under the renewed agreement. | 
