ANU Centre for European Studies launched

The Australian National University and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, The Hon. Harry Jenkins MP, launched the new ANU Centre for European Studies by welcoming a delegation from the European Union to the ANU.

The new ANU Centre for European Studies will expand on the role formerly played by the National Europe Centre (NEC) by providing an interdisciplinary hub for four Colleges across the ANU (Arts & Social Sciences, Law, Business & Economics and Asia & the Pacific) to underscore the university’s commitment to European studies, research and analysis.

“The new Centre for European Studies is an exciting initiative in the understanding, investigation and analysis of European and Australian relationships.” says Professor Paul Pickering, Director of the Centre and Deputy Director of the Research School of Humanities and the Arts.

“European studies occupies an important place in the research and teaching agenda of the ANU and the new Centre will build on this strength and the past successes of the NEC to provide a focal point for the large number of researchers, teachers and students working on Europe across a variety of fields and disciplines. The creation of the Centre shows the University’s commitment and support in European studies.”  Pickering adds.

As part of a number international alliance including the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), the ANU has close links with a number of leading Universities in Europe and many individual ANU scholars in Europe. The Centre will also enable the ANU to play a leading role in developing European studies in the Asia-pacific region. In launching the Centre for European Studies, the ANU will be offering an exciting program of activities and research initiatives in partnership with the European Commission.

Dean and Director of the ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences, Professor Toni Makkai is equally excited at the possible opportunities for the new Centre.

“The Centre for European Studies is the most recent example of the ANU’s capacity to incorporate a wide range of disciplines and academics into a single entity for the benefit of the ACT, the nation and internationally.  To have this developed with a multi-year partnership with the European Commission demonstrates the high esteem and capacity the ANU is held internationally.” says Professor Makkai

“I congratulate the many staff from across the University and within the Centre for their hard work and collaboration and I am sure I speak for many people in looking forward to the discussions, debates and analysis that the Centre will produce.” adds Makkai

The Centre is funded by the ANU with the European Commission to promote European Union studies and dialogue with Europe.

For more information on the Centre for European Studies, the contact details are W: http://ces.anu.edu.au/, E: Europe@anu.edu.au, T: +61 2 6125 9896)