RMIT and ICN2 strengthen partnership in materials science

RMIT and ICN2 strengthen partnership in materials science

RMIT University and the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) have signed an extension of their partnership, strengthening international academic cooperation in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Building on years of successful joint efforts, the renewed RMIT and ICN2 partnership will expand research and training opportunities in advanced materials science.

A key initiative under the agreement is a collaborative research project exploring how genomic techniques can enhance therapeutic approaches.

The new initiative also involves cooperation to apply for funding for emerging researchers, with the aim to secure PhD positions within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network programs.

ICN2’s Director Professor Pablo Ordejón said that the developing partnership with RMIT was an exemplary international collaboration, fostering knowledge exchange, research talent development and training programs for both institutions. 

"ICN2 and RMIT have already collaborated on various initiatives, including the REDI and AuSpire programs that empower early-career researchers at doctoral and postdoctoral levels,” Ordejón said.

“The partnership between the two institutions has been built on a strong foundation and a shared vision in tackling real-world challenges through impactful research.”

An example of the successful collaboration between ICN2 and RMIT was the European funded ALCOAT project that focuses on sustainable anti-corrosion coatings. 

RMIT research fellows, Stefano Piccardo and Keshava Boorgula, recently participated in the fifth meeting of ALCOAT that was hosted at ICN2 in June 2025. 

19 June 2025

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From left: RMIT adjunct professor Ivan Cole; RMIT Europe Executive Director Professor Marta Fernandez; RMIT’s Interim DVC STEM College and Vice-President Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos and ICN2’s Director Professor Pablo Ordejón. From left: RMIT adjunct professor Ivan Cole; RMIT Europe Executive Director Professor Marta Fernandez; RMIT’s Interim DVC STEM College and Vice-President Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos and ICN2’s Director Professor Pablo Ordejón.

RMIT Europe’s Executive Director Professor Marta Fernandez said that partnerships and collaboration are core to progress and impact – and RMIT is proud to advance this with ICN2. 

“ICN2 is one of the leading research institutions in Catalonia, with accreditation through the Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence,” Fernandez said.

“This recognition is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities with the aim to identify and support Spanish research centres that are among the world’s best in their field.

“The ICN2 and RMIT partnership brings together two organisations committed to building a better future through research impact and engagement,” she said.  

The agreement was signed at ICN2 with ICN2’s Director Professor Pablo Ordejón, RMIT’s Interim DVC STEM College and Vice-President Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos and RMIT Europe’s Executive Director Professor Marta Fernandez. 

RMIT University’s European operations in Barcelona, Spain were established in 2013.  

The renewed ICN2 agreement extends on the University’s strong research network in Catalonia, reinforcing RMIT’s commitment to impactful global collaboration and advancing innovation through strategic partnerships in Europe’s leading research ecosystems. 

 
Story: Huong Nguyen

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19 June 2025

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