Page - 27 - in options, Volume winter 2019

In August, H.E. Iris Rauskala, federal minister of Education, Science, and Research of the Republic of Austria, visited the institute. During the visit, Rauskala met with IIASA researchers to discuss scientific cooperation between IIASA and Austria, and how to strengthen this further. She was introduced to the current research agenda and learnt more about IIASA-Austria research activities. Recent joint studies focusing on Austria have included an in depth assessment of climate change, analyses of demographic change, investigations into the potential of biofuels, and the development of innovative techniques to collect land use data. Additionally, many young Austrian scientists are benefiting from IIASA capacity building activities. Underpinning the joint work is systems analysis – one of the few research tools with the breadth and depth to explore complex global problems and how they impact countries. “It is a great pleasure to welcome Minister Rauskala to IIASA and to discuss some of the research that the institute is undertaking. We welcome her thoughts on how IIASA can support her in her portfolio. The visit also provides an opportunity to enjoy the historic premises that IIASA is so fortunate to occupy courtesy of the Austrian government,” said IIASA Director General Albert van Jaarsveld. H.E. Iris Rauskala was accompanied by Sandra Allmayer, member of her Cabinet, and Stefanie Nagel from the Department for International Research Cooperation of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Research. Photographs: © Sergey Sizov | IIASA Austrian Minister of Education, Science, and Research visits IIASA www.iiasa.ac.at/events/Rauskala-19 IIASA Director General Albert van Jaarsveld made an extended visit to Asia over the summer. On his agenda were meetings with major research organizations and IIASA National Member Organizations (NMOs) in China, Japan, and Malaysia. IIASA researchers have established strong collaborations in the region, particularly related to the challenges that are faced in the sustainable management of energy, water, food, climate, and ecosystem resources. The visit to China included meetings with representatives of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) – the IIASA NMO for China. Recent research collaborations focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, demography, and the transition to a sustainable energy system. Research collaborations with Japan have been equally active: Recent studies have included the development of a new set of scenarios to underpin future climate modeling, and research into the evolution of diseases and commercially exploited fish. In Japan, Van Jaarsveld met with representatives of the Ministry of Environment and the Japan Committee for IIASA, who form the IIASA NMO representing Japan. He also met with the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), who have worked extensively with IIASA on integrated assessment modeling. The trip concluded in Malaysia, where Van Jaarsveld met with IIASA NMO, the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. Malaysia’s IIASA membership began in 2011, and since then, several research collaborations have been developed including projects on air quality and projecting demographics. There is a significant opportunity to grow the relationship between IIASA and Malaysia’s scholarly community through capacity building – one of the institute’s cornerstones. Strengthening bonds with Asian NMOs www.iiasa.ac.at/events/Asia-19 IIASA cornerINSTITUTE NEWS 27Optionswww.iiasa.ac.at Winter 2019/20