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The Australian Academy of Science’s strong relationship with France has lead to the French government awarding the prestigious honours of Officer of the Order of Academic Palms (Officier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques) to the Academy’s former Executive Secretary, Professor Sue Serjeantson, and Knight of the Order of Academic Palms (Chevalier dans L’Ordre des Palmes Académiques) to the Academy’s Manager for International Relations, Ms Nancy Pritchard. Professor Suzanne Cory, a Fellow of the Australian Academy and Foreign Fellow of the French Academy of Sciences, recently received France's highest honour, Knight of the Legion of Honour (Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur). All received their awards for their services in promoting bilateral collaborations in science, education and culture. The Ordre des Palmes Académiques is an Order of Chivalry of France presented to academics and educators. The order was originally created by Napoleon to honour eminent members of the University of Paris. It is one of the world’s oldest civil awards. Originally, the awards were only given to teachers or professors, but in 1866 this was broadened to recognise major contributors to French national education and to include foreigners. The President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Kurt Lambeck, who is also a Foreign Fellow of the French Academy of Sciences, highlighted the strong ties between Australia and France: ‘There is no doubt in my mind that a special relationship exists between our two countries. I am delighted that Sue Serjeantson and Nancy Pritchard will be recognised for their services today by the French government and I congratulate Suzanne Cory on her recent award.’ Nancy Pritchard said of her award ’This is a most unexpected honour and one that does not only belong to me but also to the Academy for making it possible.’ A strong relationship between the Australian and French academies has existed since the mid 1980s when both organisations signed an MOU and began fruitful links, instigated in great part by the late Professor Bede Morris, who was a Fellow of the Academy. The French government recognised his contribution to their nation's science by retaining him as a consultant on cattle production and by awarding him the honour of Knight of the National Order of Merit (Chevalier dans l'Ordre Nationale du Mérite). In 1988, shortly before his death, he was awarded the Legion of Honour. In his honour the Academy established the Bede Morris Fellowship in 1990. This Fellowship supports an outstanding Australian scientist to undertake a short term research project in France each year. Additionally, over the last decade the French Embassy has contributed funding to enable four or five Australian researchers to travel to France under the Academy’s exchange program with Europe. This exchange program is supported by the Australian Government Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research’s International Science Linkages. These Fellowships assist Australian scientists to gain access to knowledge and innovative technologies developed in the international environment. They also promote the profile of Australian science while strengthening Australia’s international collaborative links with France. Further information on the Academy’s international activities: www.science.org.au/internat/index What: Ceremony to confer awards from the French government to Academy members Media are welcome to attend. Media contact: |
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