AGBU has assisted the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering’s Crawford Fund by hosting Dr Pham Thi Kim Dung to research strategies to improve pig breeding programs in Vietnam.

The Executive Director of the fund, Dr Denis Blight AO FRSA, travelled to Armidale to present a commemorative plaque to Dr Dung as she neared the end of her time at UNE as an ATSE Crawford Fund Fellow. He congratulated Dr Dung on her efforts, which would see Vietnam “significantly increase the carcass value of its pigs through the selection of exotic breeds to crossbreed with the local pigs”. “It will be tremendous for Vietnam in terms of its own production, and for export,” he said.

The purpose of the Crawford Fund is to increase Australia’s engagement in international agricultural research, which is now particularly important because of the global food production crisis and exacerbating factors such as climate change. “Australia is well positioned to do something about that,” Dr Blight said. “And universities like UNE are extremely well positioned – as illustrated by the way Dr Dung has been able to come here and take advantage of UNE technology in a way that will enhance pig production and profits in Vietnam.”

(L-R) Professor Alan Pettigrew (Vice-Chancellor and CEO University of New England), Dr Denis Blight AO FRSA (Executive Director ATSE Crawford Fund), Dr Pham Thi Kim Dung (2007 ATSE Crawford Fund Fellow), Dr Susanne Hermesch (Senior Scientist AGBU)

(L-R Back row) Professor Alan Pettigrew (Vice-Chancellor and CEO University of New England), Dr Denis Blight AO FRSA ( Executive Director ATSE Crawford Fund), Dr Hans-Ulrich Graser (Director AGBU), Associate Professor Geoff Hinch (Animal Science - Environmental & Rural Science UNE), Professor Ian Metcalfe (Research and International Division Asia Centre UNE)
(Front row) Dr Pham Thi Kim Dung (2007 ATSE Crawford Fund Fellow), Dr Susanne Hermesch (Senior Scientist AGBU), Professor Peter Flood Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) UNE)