After a good night’s rest, the group was fully energized and ready to start the first full day of the study trip. The sun was out, so we had a pleasant short walk to the South Pole Group office, our first stop of the day, where we attended a presentation on sustainability and carbon credits.
The company was founded in 2006 in Zurich, Switzerland. They specialize in carbon financing consultations, providing their clients with tools and support to achieve their sustainability goals, and offering them a selection of certified climate action projects.
Our next stop was the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), where we received an overview on the container shipping and cruising industry. Founded in 1970 in Naples, Italy as a one-vessel shipping company, MSC now operates in 155 countries with over 800 container vessels and 22 cruise ships with 248 destinations, employing more than 200,000 people. The company’s main focus is international container shipping via ocean as well as cruises, although they also offer land and air shipping. The presentation offered us an insight over the different ports the company services with their container vessels and cruise ships, as well as the issues they face.
For lunch, we made our way to the Spice Alley. Upon entering the street, we were met with wafts of delicious smells from the six Asian eateries located there. There were plenty of options to choose from, so everyone was able to find something to their liking.
The afternoon was dedicted to science and culture. We visited the Chau Chak Wing Museum, where we received a one-hour tour, courtesy of Deptury Director Dr. Paul Donnelly. The museum is located in the heart of the University of Sydney, and houses natural history, ethnography, and archaeology exhibitions, as well as the University Art Collection.
Following a short break with snacks and drinks, we continued on to tour the Sydney University Campus, accompanied by Samuel, a Sydney University student ambassador.
Also located on campus was the Sydney Nanoscience Hub, where we met with Swiss professor Niels Quack. The Nanoscience Hub is a center dedicated to research on the nature of matter and the designing and engineering of new technologies, equipped with labs, fabrication facilities, and some of the best cleanrooms worldwide. Professor Quack took us on a short tour to see the aforementioned cleanrooms, and introduced us to the newest technological inventions that he has been working on.
Right after, we met up with Professor Antonio Tricolli, another Swiss professor currently teaching and researching at the University of Sydney. Professor Tricolli’s area of expertise is the intersection between nanotechnology and biomedical engineering. The group was shown around the different laboratories of the biomedical department and introduced to some of the research that was being conducted there.
The end of the tour with Professor Tricolli also marked the end of the day’s program. The group was dismissed, and we went on to enjoy our free evening exploring the city, before turning in to the hotel (early, of course) to rest up for another action-packed day.