The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) is bringing its one-day symposium, AgTech Solutions for Future Farming, to UNE on Wednesday, 2 April 2025. The event will showcase cutting-edge agricultural technologies and their role in shaping the future of farming.
To support participation, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Professor Chris Armstrong, has funded 40 registrations—20 for UNE staff and 20 for UNE HDR students. These funded places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you’d like to attend under this funding, complete the nomination form at https://forms.office.com/r/S4D0X2NnCJ by Wednesday, 19 March 2025.
For any questions, contact dvcr@une.edu.au.
Program:
Tuesday, 1 April
| 2-5pm: | UNE Tour to UNE SMART Farms and CART (Methane Facilities) | Meet at NOVA 122 Faulkner Street for Bus (limited places) |
| 5-6.30pm: | Welcome to Armidale for the ATSE Symposium – drinks and canapes
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NOVA 122 Faulkner Street |
Wednesday, 2 April
| 08:00 – 08:45 | Registration and coffee | |
| 08:45 – 09:15 | Opening Session: Welcome and Welcome to Country Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO FTSE FAICD – President, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & EngineeringProfessor Deborah Sweeney – Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President (Research, Enterprise & Global), Western Sydney UniversityProfessor Chris Moran FTSE – Vice-Chancellor and CEO, University of New England |
Belshaw Lecture Theatre, University of New England, Armidale,
Western Sydney University, Parramatta, Sydney & Online |
| 09:15 – 10:30 | Keynote Presentations Chair: Su McCluskey FTSE – Special Representative for Australian Agriculture SpeakersDepartment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Representative Scott Hansen – CEO, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority |
Sydney & Online |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Morning Tea | |
| 11:00 – 12:30 | Automating the Future
Chair: Chris Vonwiller AM FTSE – Chairman, Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering Speaker Panel Members Sarah Nolet – Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Tenacious Ventures Marcus Agnew – Beanstalk AgTech |
Sydney & Online |
| 12:30 – 1:30 | Lunch | |
| 1:30 – 3:00 | Selecting for the Future
Chair: Professor Susanne Hermesch FTSE – Professor, Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, University of New England Speaker Panel Members Michael Crowley – Managing Director, Meat & Livestock Australia Dr Sonja Dominik – CSIRO |
Armidale & Online |
| 3:00 – 3:30 | Afternoon Tea | |
| 3:30 – 5:00 | People Engineering the AgTech Future Chair: Professor Lou Conway – Director of Enterprise, University of New EnglandSpeakers Sally-Ann Williams FTSE – CEO, Cicada InnovationsMeg Lovegrove – General Manager, Australian Agritech AssociationPanel MembersDr Jack Mooney – Owner, Provenance Propagation Danielle Morton – CEO and Founder, Zondii Bill Mitchell – CEO and Founder, Optiweigh Mat Goddard – CEO and Founder, Aquacultr Group |
Armidale & Online |
| 5:00 – 5:30 | Summary of Future Actions
Chair: Distinguished Professor David Tissue – Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University Speakers Dr Nick Austin FTSE – Non-Executive Director, Bill & Melinda Gates Agricultural Innovations |
Sydney & Online |
| 5:30 – 7:30 | Drinks and BBQ Dinner with Prof Peter McGilchrist | The Potting Shed, UNE |