Victoria offers fellowships to Chilean scientists

To ensure scientific research can continue following the devastating earthquake in Chile, Victoria University is offering six four-month fellowships to Chilean scientists.

"Scientists have lost samples they had been collecting for many years, and we understand that in some cases whole collections that are important to the ecosystem in Chile have been lost," says Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Neil Quigley.

"Some facilities need to be entirely rebuilt, particularly those on the coast that were affected by the tsunami."

The visiting fellowships are open to academic staff members of Chilean universities or research institutions whose laboratory facilities are unusable following the earthquake, and will provide funding to cover a round trip airfare and accommodation in Wellington for four months.

Universities most affected are in the central and southern part of the country, including the University of Concepcion, La Frontera University in Temuco, universities in the cities of Talca, Curico and a number of coastal marine field stations.

Professor Quigley says that the fellowship recipients will be teamed up with Victoria scientists who are conducting similar work to enable them to continue their research.

"We have had strong links with Chilean universities for some time now, and this is our way of acknowledging that relationship and ensuring that important research in Chile continues.

"Being part of an international research community, it's important to ensure that long term gains aren’t jeopardised by unforeseen events such as this."

Applications for the Visiting Fellowships should be sent to the Office of the Dean of Science at Science-Faculty@vuw.ac.nz by 1 July.