International chemists to meet in Brisbane

The University of Queensland has been chosen as the venue for the General Assembly of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) Council in 2001.

IUPAC's 41st General Assembly and 38th Scientific Congress will be hosted by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, through the Australian Academy of Science.

The Scientific Congress will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from July 1-6 and the General Assembly at the University of Queensland from July 7-14, 2001.

Professor Peter Andrews, chair of the IUPAC 2001 organising committee and director of the University's Centre for Drug Design and Development, said he was elated with the news of Australia's success.

He said congratulations were particularly due to Dr Mary Garson of the Department of Chemistry, whose efforts over the past two years were largely responsible for bringing the Congress and General Assembly to the University of Queensland.

'The decision to hold these meetings in Australia demonstrates the tremendous esteem in which Australian chemistry is held internationally,' he said.

'It is a clear signal to Australian governments and industry that we have all the chemical strengths needed to develop the new high technology export-oriented industries on which our future prosperity will depend.

'A conference of IUPAC's profile and scope, with more than 1000 international chemists, will also have a profoundly positive effect on the education of our younger scientists, many of whom will be active participants in the program.

'We plan to invite the world's very best chemists to participate in the program.'

For more information, contact Professor Andrews on (07) 3365 1276 or Dr Mary Garson on (07) 3365 3605.