MELBOURNE, 1 AUGUST 2022 — Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport, Major Events and Creative Industries, The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos today officially launched Asia Society Australia’s new headquarters in Melbourne and the Asia Trade and Innovation Hub, a partnership between Asia Society and RMIT University.  

The new facility sees Asia Society Australia located at RMIT’s CBD campus, bringing together its global think-tank and convening capabilities with the University’s world-class research, teaching and infrastructure. 

The launch of the new Asia Trade and Innovation Hub is one of the key activities underpinned by a strategic partnership between Asia Society Australia and RMIT formed in October 2021.

At today’s official opening, The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos digitally connected with guests from Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong, highlighting the partnership’s combined global network and the Hub’s focus on creating a virtual gateway to Asia.  

The Asia Trade and Innovation Hub is now open in the heart of Melbourne’s academic and innovation precinct, providing a physical and digital ‘front door’ for Victorians to engage in the region.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022, Asia Society Australia is the nation’s leading business and policy think tank dedicated to Asia. Through its partnership with the Victorian Government, Asia Society has operated from a temporary office in Melbourne since 2019.  

The purpose-built facility on Swanston Street will be Asia Society’s new national headquarters in Australia.  

It is a major milestone for the Asia Society – Victoria partnership and underlines Victoria’s reputation as the national capital of Asia insights and capabilities. 

Supported by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund, the Hub will host virtual, face-to-face and hybrid events, policy discussions, applied research and analysis, media engagements, and online and blended learning programs.  

The Hub’s activation will also see three collaborative research roadmaps by RMIT University and Asia Society Australia released in the coming months, to support Victoria’s social and economic recovery and help Victorian businesses succeed in priority markets and sectors in Asia.  

Asia Society Australia CEO Philipp Ivanov said:

"We are thrilled to open our new long-term home in Victoria and embed Asia Society in Melbourne’s intellectual and cultural life, at a time when our future security and prosperity is so intertwined with Asia’s”.

RMIT University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Alec Cameron said:

“At RMIT we pride ourselves on making connections and building networks that achieve important outcomes. This Hub brings together our combined expertise and networks to foster applied research, engagement and thought leadership, around Asia trade and investment opportunities and challenges.”

Media contact:

Philipp Ivanov, CEO, Asia Society Australia
0401142453
[email protected]

RMIT Communications, 0439 704 077 or [email protected]