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The University of Western Australia today hosted a delegation of Ambassadors to the United Nations and the visit of more than 30 senior Government officials from across Africa to showcase its energy and minerals research, including in geothermal energy.

Six permanent representatives to the United Nations - from Botswana, Congo, Chile, the Gambia, Lesotho and Tanzania - were briefed on geothermal energy by Professor Klaus Regenaur-Lieb, Director of the WA Geothermal Centre of Excellence.  They were seeking information about renewable energy including geothermal energy, derived from geothermal heat which is concentrated in volcanic areas where magma nears the Earth's surface.

The visitors are in Perth for the Africa Down Under Conference , the biggest African resources conference outside Africa.

UWA today also hosted an AusAID Mining Governance study tour involving the representatives of governments from Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Tanzania, who were also attending Africa Down Under Conference .

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said the University was playing a significant role internationally and had research collaborations across the world.

"Our University aims to be counted among the top 50 universities in the world by 2050," he said.  "These visits are recognition of the significant role this University plays internationally and in addressing issues of global concern."

Earlier in the year, UWA hosted a visit by the influential Chinese leader, His Excellency Mr Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative.

Mr Jia - one of China's most prominent dignitaries - toured the University's Centre for Energy with its Director, Winthrop Professor Dongke Zhang.

UWA developed and hosts the In the Zone series of conferences and forums which attract delegates from the time-zone Western Australia shares with the world's fastest-growing economies.

Media references

Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8) 6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783