WhenProfessor Jennifer Marjorie Corbett arrives on 31 March to take up the role of Fellow with Griffith University’s Asia Institute, she won’t have long to adjust to her new surroundings before embarking on another remarkable journey.
From April, Professor Corbett will undertake a two-year role at the University of Tokyo’s School of Engineering as the first Professorial Fellow in the Rio Tinto Australia-Japan Collaboration Program.
During her time in Tokyo, Professor Corbett will be spending her time helping the University to identify, develop and promote collaborative research programs, exchanges and other activities to engage in with academic and industry partners both in Japan and at home in Australia.
“I am honoured to be appointed the inaugural Rio Tinto Fellow, and look forward to helping develop new cooperative research links that deepen and enrich the Australia-Japan relationship,” Professor Corbett said in a statement.
Given Griffith’s commitment to being Australia’s most Asia-engaged university and its long history of study in and about the region, Professor Corbett’s placement in Japan is an opportunity that makes perfect sense, Griffith Asia Institute DirectorProfessor Caitlin Byrne said.
“This secondment is an excellent recognition of GAI’s standing in the Asia region, and of its expertise in Japan in particular,” Professor Byrne said.
“The appointment of Professor Corbett to this position is one that we welcome; she’ll be a terrific addition to GAI, and she’ll be building important links with government and industry whilst located in Japan.”
Professor Corbett brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience built over a decorated career in policy advice and consultancy for major bodies such as the Asian Development Bank, OECD, the World Bank and more.
She is an Executive member of the Australia-Japan Business Cooperation Committee, and recieved the Japanese Imperial Order of the Rising Sun (Third Class) in 2014 for her extensive contributions to relations between the two countries.
Pro Vice Chancellor (Business)Professor David Grant commended Professor Corbett on her appointment, and noted the important role it has to play in further extending Griffith’s overseas reach and impact with Asian industry and government bodies.
“This strategically significant appointment will enable us to build on and consolidate our already considerable profile in Japan,” Professor Grant said.
“We are thrilled to see Professor Corbett take up this role, and look forward to strengthening our relationship with the Japanese community even further.”