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Biggest ever UK-Israel scientific research conference gets underway
The third annual conference of the Britain Israel Research and Academic Exchange Partnership conference (BIRAX) got underway yesterday, as 350 academics from Israel and the UK met at Oxford University, in what is thought to be the largest bilateral gathering of its kind yet.
BIRAX is a joint UK-Israel research initiative, which aims to cure serious diseases. Founded in 2011, more than £7 million has been invested in fifteen bilateral research projects, including using heart cells to restore damaged heart muscle, and diagnosing Parkinson’s Disease with breath tests. This week’s annual gathering includes over 250 British researchers representing 33 UK institutions and nearly 100 Israeli researchers.
Speaking ahead of the conference, UK Ambassador to Israel, David Quarrey said: “What comes out of this meeting will have the potential to better the lives of millions worldwide. It is one more example of the flourishing UK Israel science relationship, which has deepened in the past few years.” He added, “Through this conference, the UK government is showing its commitment to developing this partnership between two science superpowers and its complete rejection of those calling for boycotts.”
During this week’s conference, the UK Israel Science Council, comprising thirty scientists from both countries, will hold its sixth annual meeting and set new bilateral scientific priorities to focus on until 2020. Prof. Ada Yonath, a 2009 Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry and founding member of the council, commented “There is no substitute for international collaboration between scientists, and UK-Israeli partnerships are no exception.” She added that when “scientists from both countries meet, discover and grow through partnerships like BIRAX,” then “The results benefit not only both countries, but the entire world.”
During the past several years, UK-Israel bilateral relations have grown impressively in numerous fields including science, health and education. Earlier this year, the two countries agreed to extend their cyber defence cooperation. Meanwhile, UK-Israel trade has grown rapidly in recent years and is currently worth in excess of £4.5 billion.