An Ireland-China Research Collaboration Fund Agreement was signed today. The agreement, which comes into effect in January, provides for the exchange of top class researchers in the Biotechnology and Information & Communications fields from the two countries.
The deal sets up a jointly funded programme to cover a four year period from 2003 to 2006 and its total budget amounts to €1 million.
The signing of the agreement is a follow up to the Framework Agreement on Scientific and Technological Co-Operation between the Chinese and Irish governments. This was signed by Tanaiste Mary Harney in September 2000 and approved by the Dail in March 2001.
'This agreement will help to promote and encourage co-operation in scientific research and technological development between Ireland and China,' Dr William C Harris, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland said at the signing of the deal today.
