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CRAWFORD FUND APPOINTS INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION LEADER AS NEW
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dr Denis Blight AO FRSA

The ATSE Crawford Fund has announced the appointment of Dr Denis
Blight AO FRSA as its new Executive Director.

The ATSE Crawford Fund is dedicated to raising awareness of the contribution of international agricultural research (IAR) to reducing poverty and hunger, enhancing regional security, sustaining the natural resource base for agriculture and providing benefits to Australian farmers. The Crawford Fund is named after Sir John Crawford, a key architect of Australia's Post-War growth and a passionate supporter of IAR.

"Dr Blight is one of Australia's foremost professionals in international education. His association with international development and agricultural research, and indeed with Sir John Crawford, began in earnest some 25 years ago when, as Centre Secretary, he helped establish the fledgling Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under the chairmanship of Sir John," said The Hon Neil Andrew, Chairman of the Crawford Fund.

Denis Blight recently retired from the position of Director-General of CAB International, an intergovernmental body in research, training and publishing in the applied life sciences. Before that he spent 15 years with IDP Education Australia, formerly the international development program of Australian universities and colleges. He has also worked in aid administration with AusAID and served as an Australian diplomat for 15 years.

Dr Blight is chair of the Board of LIS Pty Ltd, an advisor to the Graduate Insight Group  and a member of the UK's Commonwealth Scholarships Commission.

"Denis will bring to the Crawford Fund a tremendous depth and breadth of experience in international agricultural research for development and international education, the two cornerstones of the Crawford Fund's efforts," said Mr Andrew.

Asked about his appointment Dr Blight said "Having worked with Sir John Crawford, a truly great Australian, it is an honour to be leading an organisation that bears his name and whose objectives I know Sir John would share."

"The Crawford Fund owes an enormous debt of gratitude to Dr Bob Clements for his commitment and professionalism over the past 5½ years as Executive Director. We are particularly pleased that he has agreed to remain actively involved in Crawford activities," said Mr Andrew.

The ATSE Crawford Fund
1 Leonard Street
Parkville 3052
Victoria Australia
T: (03) 9347 8328
F: (03) 9347 3224
E: crawford@mira.net
W: www.crawfordfund.org