Sydney to host Vacuum Congress for the first time

Sydney has won a global bid to host the 23rd International Vacuum Congress (IVC-23) in 2025. The announcement was made to delegates gathered in Sapporo, Japan, for the IVC-22. The Congress is expected to attract approximately 1,300 global delegates to Sydney over its five days, generating an estimated AUD $7.5m (USD $5m) expenditure on the local economy. Taking place every three years since 1958, the Congress showcases recent advances in vacuum science and technology. It has a focus on material science, nanotechnology, biotechnology, life science and science based on large-scale infrastructures. According to Sydney, the bid enjoyed strong Commonwealth support through the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) – home of the Australian Synchrotron. Anton P.J. Stampfl, Vacuum Society of Australia president, senior instrument scientist at ANSTO, and bid leader, said: “The science and technology of vacuum have, over the last 80 plus years, been an enabler of many crucial modern technologies. Without vacuum science and technology, most of the high-tech pieces of equipment and devices that we rely on today would not be possible.” “The Congress takes a strong stance on inclusion and diversity and is seeking out balance within all its invited speakers and contributors and will make a special program for students in STEM,” he added. Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said that the NSW Government is investing money into research and development (R&D). This influx of participants and exhibitors will enhance the State’s vibrant research and technology sector. “R&D is a key driver of new jobs, businesses and international investment in NSW, which is unlocking enormous opportunities in industries like quantum computing, semiconductors, defence and space,” Henskens said. BESydney CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith said, “This event is the perfect opportunity to showcase Sydney’s frontier research in quantum science and nanophotonics.” “Business events are key to global talent attraction and IVC-23 will profile the laboratories and research facilities in the Sydney Nanoscience Hub which serve as a top recruitment and retention tool for the world’s best academic researchers.” Sydney has invested in vacuum science, particularly noting the University of New South Wales’s Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology’s research which links across six Australian universities in 17 coordinated programs. The Centre forms one of the largest combined and focused efforts in quantum computation and communication in the world.