Murdoch University in Western Australia has been awarded A$2.1 million to help Mozambique and neighbouring African countries manage agricultural and mining issues in a sustainable manner that supports development. The funding was announced by Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Richard Marles and Mozambican Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, His Excellency Mr Oldemiro Baloi earlier this month at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Mining for Development at Parliament House.
Murdoch received AusAID Development Research Awards relating to:
- How mining and agriculture can work together to provide equitable economic opportunities
- Using Mozambique’s natural resource wealth to improve access to water and sanitation
- Developing policies to better manage mines, mine closures and mine abandonments
- Improving the ability of smallholder farmers in South Africa to engage with markets.
Murdoch University Vice Chancellor Professor Richard Higgott congratulated his researchers and noted Africa’s growing importance to the world economy. “Africa is currently the second fastest growing economic region of the world, having expanded by roughly 5% over the past two years – and given ever-increasing political stability in many parts of the continent, this trend is expected to continue,” Higgott said. “Murdoch’s involvement in Africa demonstrates our commitment as a globally-focused University to be a leader in positive change and development.
“This funding is recognition of the quality of our research and will allow our researchers to have a positive impact in improving quality of life, agricultural outputs and sustainable environmental management.”